7 culture shocks about the Calgary Stampede from a B.C. transplant

I think locals take the Calgary Stampede for granted. Hear me out.

Just as with any big landmark or tourist attraction, the appeal is in the novelty. If you’re someone who grew up with the Calgary Stampede happening every summer, it’s probably not something that takes you by surprise anymore.

But regardless of whether you love it or hate it, I think it’s taken for granted. At least so far as appreciating the sheer number of things going on. Speaking as someone who moved to Calgary from B.C., there’s so much about Stampede that I didn’t expect.

Here are seven culture shocks about the Calgary Stampede as a B.C. transplant.

There’s so much more than country music

Before moving to Calgary, I really thought “cowboy-everything” was the bread and butter of the whole fair. Now, I don’t mean any hate towards country music, but I think the part that doesn’t get talked about enough is that the Stampede is essentially a 10-day city-wide music festival with artists from every genre.

Canadian pop icon Alessia Cara is hitting up the Coca-Cola stage this year, along with other artists like The Beaches, Deadmau5, and Vancouver sweethearts Mother Mother. Even if this kind of isn’t your jam, you can see other amazing artists at the Badlands Music Festival Tent or the Cowboys Music Festival.

I’ve gotten to see so many amazing artists at Stampede that would have taken me years, and likely travel, to wait and see. That’s pretty cool.

The BMO Centre is a destination of its own

My first Stampede in Calgary was a hot one, and while I was trying to figure out what to do next, I popped into the BMO Centre to take a break from the sun.

What I expected was a place to cool off for a minute, but what I found was so much more than that. Between vendors, exhibits, food, shopping and special events, I spent far longer inside than I planned to. I honestly think I could’ve spent an entire day looking at all the things it had to offer.

I  didn’t realize you could spend such a big chunk of your day indoors at the Stampede and still have such an amazing experience.

You can get a free breakfast every day

Free food is an easy way into my good graces, and the pancake breakfast game is strong in Calgary. What surprised me was that you don’t even have to be at the fairgrounds to take advantage of this tradition.

The fact that you can find a free pancake breakfast virtually anywhere in the city blew my mind. From community centres to senior bingo halls, I see signs for them everywhere. I discovered that this particularly tasty tradition dates all the way back to 1923, when chuckwagon crews would serve up pancakes along Eighth Avenue and at the Old-Timers’ hut.

Now the whole community gets involved, and what better way to meet people when you’re new to a city than by bonding over free pancakes?

It’s way bigger than the fairgrounds

 

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My first Stampede summer in Calgary came right on the heels of my big move. The living room was strewn with boxes. I had no idea where I had packed the coffee mugs, and I thought I’d get away from it all for an afternoon by “checking out that Stampede thing.” I turned up at the gates without a map, a plan, or a clue.

From the Midway and free concert stages, to the Dog Bowl, Elbow River Camp, and everything happening in the BMO Centre, I was completely floored by how big it was… and that’s not even mentioning all the music festival tents throughout the city. Stampede truly takes over downtown Calgary, and it’s honestly a little overwhelming if you were just expecting a quaint country fair with cowboy boots.

Now I know that planning your Stampede is key to having a great time. Lesson learned and heat stroke avoided.

The lead-up to Stampede is intense

 

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While the whole 10-day festival draws the most attention, the days, or even weeks, before it officially begins already feel like the city is in full swing.

Hot off a move to Calgary, I was taking a stroll along the riverwalk when I noticed a massive “Yahoo” sign had seemingly appeared overnight.

Banners were strewn across the city, and even the Plus 15 network was decorated weeks before the Stampede was set to begin. Tickets for events were already on sale, and pancake breakfasts had already started popping up across the city.

The whole city dresses up

 

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I can see you rolling your eyes, but believe me when I say that I did not expect the Stampede-cowboy-cosplay to be as big as it is. Sure, you’ll see fair-goers dressed up at the grounds and music tents. I expected that. What I did not expect was how everyone in the city gets in on the Western spirit.

I’ve seen boots, hats, and bolo ties on grocery store employees and stroller-pushing parents all the way out in the suburbs. Not a Ferris wheel or festival tent to be seen. For 10 whole days, Calgary has an alter-ego, and you’ll spot everyone from teenagers to bankers joining in.

Honestly? I kind of love it, but I also love any excuse to dress up with a theme. It’s like being a kid on Halloween — which, speaking of, not even that holiday inspires people to dress up as much as Stampede.

You can choose how you Stampede

Stampede can sometimes get the reputation of being… a little messy. With all the festival tents, bars, and vacationing tourists, it’s a pretty big party. But if that’s not your scene, there’s so much else you can do.

I’ve enjoyed the tents, but I’ve also enjoyed walking through the Western Oasis, wine glass in hand, admiring beautiful paintings by Canadian artists I definitely couldn’t afford – but that’s besides the point. You can also shop the enormous marketplace, cheer as adorable dogs perform wild tricks, or learn about local farms and animals at the many Agriculture showcases.

I’ve watched horse shows, chuckwagon races (learned what those were), and sat in the crowd at the Grandstand show until the fireworks went off. That’s not even mentioning the rides, Midway food, Indigenous experiences, and random games and contests you’ll find throughout Stampede. Whether you’re coming for a wild weekend with your friends or you’re a family with small kids, there’s something for everyone to do at Stampede, and that keeps it feeling new.

Ultimately, it’s probably why I plan on going back.

Are you a born-and-raised Calgarian who grew up with the Stampede? What are your favourite parts, or what surprised you if you came to Calgary from elsewhere? Let us know in the comments below.