All the times the Calgary Stampede almost didn't happen
The Calgary Stampede has been around for a long time, and while it’s hard to imagine a summer in the city without it, there have been a few times when it almost didn’t happen or was forced to cancel entirely.
Daily Hive spoke with the Calgary Stampede Collection and Archives team to look back at the times the Calgary Stampede faced big disruptions, and times it even got cancelled.
1914 to 1922
The Calgary Stampede did not start as an annual event. After the first Stampede in 1912, the outbreak of the First World War, along with economic pressures and organizational challenges, paused plans for it to continue as an annual event.
Provincial Archives of Alberta/Flickr
It briefly returned in 1919 as the “Victory Stampede,” held to celebrate the end of the war and honour returning soldiers. It wasn’t until 1923, when the Stampede merged with the Calgary Industrial Exhibition, that it became an annual tradition.
2013
The next disruption the Calgary Stampede faced came nearly a century later, thanks to the historic flooding that hit Calgary in June 2013. Stampede Park saw significant damage during the floods, and there were concerns about whether the event could proceed as planned.
City of Calgary
There were doubts about the state of the grounds and whether they could host a large-scale event so soon after flooding. After extensive recovery efforts involving staff, volunteers, contractors, and community members, the grounds were restored in time for opening day.
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2020
Wirestock Collection/Shutterstock
Marking a historic moment for the Calgary Stampede, 2020 was the first time the event had to be canceled since it became an annual tradition. The decision came as COVID-19 spread globally, prompting public health restrictions on large gatherings.
2021
In 2021, the Calgary Stampede returned following the historic cancellation in 2020. While the event was able to go ahead, it operated under significant public health measures.
melissamn/Shutterstock
One of the most significant changes in 2021 was the cancellation of the Rangeland Derby chuckwagon races, which have been a staple at the Calgary Stampede for years.