From Banff on we head east. As soon as we are out of the park, big machines and industry seems to be everywhere. They take everything out of the Rockys they can find. Only when we came closer to the city border the landscape changed.
In Calgary we quickly found a cheep and good spot to park close to the venue. Because the next two days we wanna spend at the „Greatest Outdoor Show On Earth“: the Calgary Stampede.
The Stampede in Calgary is known as the biggest Rodeo Show on earth and is held since 1912. Besides the classic Rodeo show, there is an agricultural fair (just like our BEA), a big fairground and other small shows (like blacksmith demonstration, concerts, horse show…)
Just at the entrance we are greeted by the Stampede Showband. Totally motivated they blow their horns and swing the flags.
After this we explore the agricultural part and join the Mini Chuckwagon Race, in the evening we see the full size Chuckwagon Race and the big evening show. The show starts of corse with the national anthem and the flag – and we see again, that everything is bigger over here, than back home. The wonderful show is a mixture of Karls-Kühne-Gassenschau (www.karlskuehnegassenschau.ch) and High School Musical with big fireworks, light show and a lot of national pride.
On Sunday we have tickets for the official Rodeo and by accident it is finals day. The stadium is close to full and the sun shines relentless on us on our cheep seats. Although we don’t understand all the rules of every discipline, it was impressive. Over and over we were told how good they care for the horses, because they’re their full pride. I, however felt sorry for the bulls they used at Bull Riding, Tie-Down Roping and Steer Wrestling.
After two days full of action we left Calgary. There is only one thing left to say: Yee-haa!
written by Barbara