Calgary Stampede

The Calgary Stampede, which bills itself as The Greatest Outdoor show on Earth, is a large festival, exhibition, and rodeo held in Calgary, Alberta for ten days every July. In 2006, the Stampede will take place from July 7-16. It is Canada's largest annual event and it features an internationally recognized rodeo competition, a midway, stage shows, concerts, agricultural competitions, chuckwagon races, First Nations exhibitions, and pancake breakfasts around the city, among other attractions. In 2005, record-breaking attendance at the 10-day rodeo and exhibition totalled 1,242,928. The Stampede Parade which occurs on opening day, is one of the festival's oldest and largest traditions. It follows a 4.5 km route in downtown Calgary. Attendance at the parade is usually about 350,000. The parade is also televised and has a viewing audience of over 2 million. During Stampede Week, the city's residents dress in western attire, and nearly all businesses decorate their stores and offices western style.

Related Topics:
Festival - Exhibition - Rodeo - Calgary, Alberta - Canada - Midway - Agricultural - Chuckwagon - First Nations - Pancake - 2005 - Parade - Western attire - Western style

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The Calgary Stampede takes place at the Stampede Grounds which are located on the southeast fringe of downtown Calgary in the Beltline District. The park is easily accessed via Calgary Transit's light rail system, the C-Train. Permanent structures at the site include the Pengrowth Saddledome (hockey arena), the Round-Up Centre (a convention and exhibition facility), the Stampede Casino, the grandstand/racetrack, the agriculture building and a number of smaller buildings. A major expansion and upgrading of the grounds is currently underway. It will likely include a new hotel, new casino, a new "main street" retail and market area, a new agriculture building, underground parking, and an extensive re-landscaping of the outdoor areas.

Related Topics:
Beltline District - Calgary Transit - C-Train - Pengrowth Saddledome

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