| I've Never Been to The Stampede
Posted: 7/6/2008 1:50:30 AM | I've lived in Alberta for 30 years now and I've never been to the Calgary Stampede. Am I really missing anything? I love to photograph rodeos and have done so at smaller rodeos. Has anyone seen the Stampede from that perspective?  Tell me what I've been missing. Oh, and I'll be going alone... | |
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| I've Never Been to The Stampede
Posted: 7/6/2008 2:13:47 AM | | As a non-Albertan, I would say yes you need to go to Stampede especially if you like to photograph rodeo. From what I have heard from old-timers, the best place to sit is the infield seats.However, I think those seats are sold out early. I haven't been for many years, so if you don't get a better offer I would be happy to join you, as I don't like going alone! | |
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| I've Never Been to The Stampede
Posted: 7/6/2008 8:07:19 AM | Considering as the Calgary Stampede is considered "THE" show for north america.. and everyone under the sun from the sport comes to it.. youd think it would have some pull. hehe.
Ive gone and watched it and im not really a fan of it but it was exciting I must say and now when its on TV i find myself drawn to watch it for awhile before moving on. Bull riding, chuckwagons, umm.. i dont know all of the different event names but there all pretty entertaining. Plus you get to see cowboys get beat up by big bulls or kicked by horses sometimes.. and well I find it funny in a sick and twisted sort of way.. but whatever.. | |
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| I've Never Been to The Stampede
Posted: 7/6/2008 8:15:54 AM | | Dusty...don't go to the Stampede thinking you can sit down at the infield to take photos.....not going to happen unless you are married to a bullrider or have a media pass. It's not like a small town rodeo where you can stand by the fence and stick your camera through to get good action shots...if you want to go just to take rodeo pics...you'll probably be disappointed. | |
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| I've Never Been to The Stampede
Posted: 7/6/2008 8:54:08 AM | I think there are two parts to the Stampede. 1 is the actual physical show on the grounds (midway, booths, rodeo). The second is the mindset that overcomes Calgary..where people just have fun & dress the part. I'd say the latter is just as important, if not more
Besides, if you're a downtown worker it's the only chance you'll ever get to have a pint of beer at 9 30 in the morning. | |
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| I've Never Been to The Stampede
Posted: 7/6/2008 2:09:11 PM | Thanks everyone for all the information. I know how I'll do my trip there. Can someone tell me where in Calgary it is? Please don't say the rodeo grounds, that means nothing to me..lol.  | |
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| I've Never Been to The Stampede
Posted: 7/6/2008 2:18:21 PM | If you're going down to the stampede, take LOTS of money with you! Everything is so expensive down there.
For tourists, its ok, something everyone wants to see, but if you live here, well, I can take it or leave it. I usually go down every year for a few hours, just to wander around and get tickets for the dream home, the cars/trucks, whatever, and check out the animals in the barns like someone else mentioned. The rides don't do nothing for me, the stages are usually jam packed so I tend to avoid them as I don't like crowds all that much.
Not going this year though, not like I'll be missing much anyways. It's the same thing every year pretty much.
The Stampede grounds, you can't miss, just follow the crowd! LOL. If you're taking the train, just hop on the southbound train and it drops you off right there (Erlton station). I'd suggest taking the train because parking is a b!tch to find down there, and also can be quite expensive. Trains are usually packed like sardine cans and stifling hot. It's just outside downtown, on the southeast end (did I get that right? I'm terrible with directions! ) | |
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| I've Never Been to The Stampede
Posted: 7/6/2008 3:09:04 PM | OP,
You need to park your vehicle at one of the many bus or train stations and take public transit down to the grounds. They scam you out of your shirt just for parking, they take your shorts for admission fees, then anything you do after that once inside they manage to take everything you have including your first born.
Stampede is now a rich mans event. No very family friendly.
I would say hold off and come see the strathmore rodeo August long weekend. Best part is same stock same cowboys........ much cheaper and you can get great seats and lots of wonderful pictures. Plus you can photograph the running of the bulls......... that in itself is worth the trip! | |
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| I've Never Been to The Stampede
Posted: 7/6/2008 3:11:34 PM | Yes it is southeast between 12 and 25th Avenues just east of Macleod Trail.There is plenty of extra transit service during Stampede.Enjoy!!! | |
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| I've Never Been to The Stampede
Posted: 7/6/2008 3:18:31 PM | | I've actually never been to the Strathmore rodeo, but I hear it's a blast. Is there more info on it somewhere? I'd sooner go to something like that then the stampede in all honesty. I don't think my son has ever seen a rodeo, so I'd like to take him. It's a kid friendly thing right? | |
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| I've Never Been to The Stampede
Posted: 7/6/2008 3:19:51 PM | Northern....
Strathmore is UBER kid friendly
Last year I took a 11 month old and 2 other children who were 2
They still havent forgotten about the day they went. | |
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| I've Never Been to The Stampede
Posted: 7/6/2008 3:24:48 PM | If it's kid friendly, then I'd love to go! Maybe we should gather up a bunch of parents/kids and go!
I think my son would enjoy it, but if he doesn't, it'd be nice to have other kids around so he can do his own thing. I know I'd like to check it out because thru the years I've always heard good things about it, but have never gone. | |
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| I've Never Been to The Stampede
Posted: 7/6/2008 3:33:25 PM | Northern,
I am originally from southern ontario, we didnt have rodeos but we have community fairs.
Strathmore is more like the old fairs than like the commercialism of the stampede.
They have great displays of baked goods and quilts and such.
The 4H displays are great and you can go into the barns and pet the live stock, they also have an exotic petting zoo.
Last year there was also jousting demos, high diving, monster truck rides.
The rodeo is wonderful they do the mini chucks....... which every kid loves. You cant help but laugh at the running of the bulls.
there are all kinds of live performances going on each day, we loved watching the pow wow and they even invite the specators up to dance near the end, (2 of the kids danced last year)
Food selection is nice, not as crazy as stampede, midway rides are limited, but so much to do you dont really miss that.
Cost wise is much less. I think I spent 50 dollars last year, that included a stuffed bull for my son. (8 hours at the rodeo)
Parking is free, and you can walk in or catch a ride on the tractor to the gates.
The grounds are very walkable, you dont need 3 days to see and do everything.
They have good little 50/50 draws the prizes (cash are 300-2000)
I love the other draws you can enter some wonderful prizes, and in the evening there is live concert.
Strathmore is a nice drive out of calgary not too far, they also have their farmers markets going on at the same time.
so much to see and do | |
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| I've Never Been to The Stampede
Posted: 7/6/2008 3:43:16 PM | That sounds so cool, much more my style then the stampede, I prefer the fair type atmosphere to the hustle and bustle of the Stampede, so I think I'm definitely going to check it out this year. Kiddo should be back from holidays with his dad in time for this.
I took my son to the Stampede last year, and he loved it, but it was just too crowded to keep an eye on him, and some of the things we saw down there were not fit for a kids eyes.
The drive will be a snap for me, as I'm out near the airport so it wont be too hard to get there.
If you're going this year mommy, and want a tag-along, let me know, I'll gladly join you! I haven't been out to Strathmore in forever! | |
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| I've Never Been to The Stampede
Posted: 7/6/2008 3:45:42 PM | sure I will let you know.
Will be checking with the other mommies (we always travel is packs)
Be sure to bring your camera, lots to see and photograph.
I hope for my sons sake they have the dirt bike jumpers again during the half time show..... man alive did he go bananas over those guys | |
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| I've Never Been to The Stampede
Posted: 7/6/2008 4:00:21 PM | I think I've just changed my mind, a woman can do that before you can snap your fingers. Strathmore sounds more like what I'm looking for. I can go to Klondike Days or whatever it was renamed, for the larger fair type atmosphere if I want. I like the sound of what you've told me. It reminds me of when I was a kid going to the PNE in Vancouver, horse, cow, pig barns to wander through. They even had pigeon contests, but I must say they weren't the pigeons that crap on your roof type. They also had handmade quilts, pickles, cakes, on display that they had entered for ribbons and the prestige of coming in first. All of what you've described make great photo opportunities. Sorry Calgary, going to Strathmore instead.   | |
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| I've Never Been to The Stampede
Posted: 7/6/2008 4:06:14 PM | Dusty I caught some amazing photos last year.
when was the last time you got face to face with a boa constrictor?
Have you photo'd jousting? Talk about knight in shining armour riding up on a white stallion....... | |
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| I've Never Been to The Stampede
Posted: 7/6/2008 5:03:29 PM | Dusty...I too spent many years going to the PNE...and sorry, but the Stampede is a lot more like the PNE than Strathmore is. Buildings and buildings full of livestock displays, stage shows, carnival food and the same indoor displays of art, photography, etc.
Sounds like a lot of Calgarians are tainted on the Stampede.....I usually try to go once a year and yes, it is crowded, as was the PNE.....but the atmosphere is awesome and it is a fun day.
As for the price...again, I think people are tainted....if you want to get ripped off....come to the fair in Olds and pay the same price to see absolutely nothing, then pay another $15,00 a head to see the rodeo...then come back again at night and pay another $15,00 to watch the chucks. | |
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| I've Never Been to The Stampede
Posted: 7/6/2008 5:07:24 PM | | Dusty-I think you will find the Strathmore Rodeo to be on a par with the Rainmaker Rodeo in St. Albert with a few different attractions. | |
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| I've Never Been to The Stampede
Posted: 7/6/2008 5:14:52 PM | | plus at least 1 male Pof'er is known to don a costume and do the running of the bulls........ that in itself is so worth the trip to strathmore. | |
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| I've Never Been to The Stampede
Posted: 7/6/2008 5:48:19 PM |
plus at least 1 male Pof'er is known to don a costume and do the running of the bulls........ that in itself is so worth the trip to strathmore.
Ohhhhhh...... do tell!!!
Pretty please??
The running of the bulls, sounds like a blast. That is something I'd love to see! | |
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| I've Never Been to The Stampede
Posted: 7/6/2008 6:09:05 PM | As I recall Papa Bear was a runner last year.
there is an old thread about it somewhere, surely others have ran, but wont admit to it. | |
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| I've Never Been to The Stampede
Posted: 7/6/2008 6:12:30 PM | Wow... he's got some nads for sure!
I'm not so sure I'd be running with mean bulls sporting pointy, and painful looking horns!!
My luck of late will not permit me to even entertain such ideas!
I could volunteer to be the camera person though! | |
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| I've Never Been to The Stampede
Posted: 7/6/2008 6:13:49 PM | Here is what PAPA BEAR SAID 1 YR AGO
Yes, I participated in Running of the Bulls. 65 of us did, including 1 cowboy from Australia. After the run we had chatted about the event and both of us agreed this was more of a rush than sky-diving or bungy-jumping because WE controlled our own safety and WE knew our own limits. And apparently is has become so popular is is held for 2 nights at the rodeo. But I guess snap judgements are more acceptable than some people who want to find a different kind of thrill they can control...
Hmmm...to prove you are no smarter than the bull...well, I'm still here with a banged up knee against 2 dozen bulls, and 64 others can say the same. If you can manage to put 2 and 2 together...well, I can't expect some people to be that smart.
"We saw a guy drunk as a skunk, run the wrong way at the bull's to antogonize them.. yup, he got what he wanted, taken away by ambulance"
I just wish this individual would make up their mind. Idiotic thing to watch...fun to watch...not into stupid violence with no point..."we saw..."...
Besides some "senseless" wishy-washy opinions, the Strathmore Rodeo was a blast. No Duffy...no hangover today, but you can bet your a$$ that I will return next year for the best time of the summer...AND participate in the Running of the Bulls again. Even saw some fellow POFers there who wished me luck...thanks guys | |
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