It’s time for the Калгари Stampede!

Billing itself as “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth,” this year’s Stampede is taking over Calgary until July 12th.

If you’re a newcomer settling into Calgary, don’t plan on getting much done over the next 10 дней. Nearly all of Calgary will be out at the city’s biggest party!

So what’s the Stampede all about?

Even as Calgary has become increasingly urban, the biggest event of the year still has its roots in cowboy culture. The Stampede is a родео, County Fair, и сумасшедшая вечеринка в одном лице.

What few people know, однако, в том, что the Stampede has a U.S. connection. Here’s an excerpt from my book, Проживающих за рубежом в Канаде, что объясняет:

Stampede, который начался в 1912, было видение американской эмигрант. Родился в Рочестере, Нью-Йорк, Guy Weadick became a vaudeville and rodeo performer who appeared across North America.

В Калгари, он встретил H. C. McMullen, a livestock agent for the Canadian Pacific Railway, and they hatched a plan for a “wild west” show. They secured funding from several local businessmen, и Stampede был запущен.

The Stampede opens with a huge parade through downtown. Other attractions include chuck wagon races, calf roping, bull riding, конные шоу, a carnival midway, and concerts by big-name entertainers. This year’s headliners включают Reba McEntire, Тейлор Свифт, Кенни Чесни, и George Strait.

The Stampede typically draws more than 100,000 people per day, so pull on your boots and come on down!

Photo by sundeepg (Flickr)