Stephen Harper, while opening the show, was optimistic that the 2014
Calgary Stampede will be a turning point after last year’s flooding which dampened the whole event.
The 2014 Calgary Stampede would not be complete
without the appearance of Hollywood icon William Shatner who as usual was a
marshal during the Stampede Parade that kicked off the whole event. Joining him
were Canadian Olympians Gilmore Junio and Denny Morrison together with over
4,000 people who will be part of the one hundred and thirty or so entrants.
What is the Calgary Stampede?
The Calgary Stampede is an annual event that takes
place in Calgary, Canada. The Calgary Stampede involves rodeo events, parades,
concerts, lotteries and firework shows. The 2014 Calgary Stampede will take
place on July 4th – 13th and will involve concerts by Shania Twain.
History of the Calgary Stampede
The Calgary Stampede can be traced back to the late
1800s when the Agricultural Society started shows that were meant to encourage
farmers to immigrate to Western Canada in order to take advantage of the
opportunities and develop the economy of the area. As the Agricultural shows
grew in stature, more exhibition events were incorporated into the yearly
shows. The facilities were improved including the exhibition pavilions and
horse racing tracks.
The first stampede was
held in 1912 as an offshoot of the successful exhibitions and agricultural
shows. The stampede involved cattlemen from Western Canada and the United
States and the tradition of dressing up as rodeos evolved from these early
shows. The initial success of the first stampede led to its establishment as an
annual event after the civic authorities realized its potential as an important
cultural event.
Main Events of the Calgary Stampede
The Calgary Stampede consists of a number of showcase
events that are an annual feature every year. The following are the main events of the
Stampede:
·
Calgary Stampede Parade: This has
traditionally being the opening event of the Stampede and every year there is a
different theme depending on current special interests. Local politicians,
business leaders and prominent personalities in sports and the arts are given
the duty of serving as parade marshals.
·
Calgary Stampede Rodeo Event: The rodeo is
the main event of the Stampede with a top prize of $1 million for the overall
winner and $ 100, 000 for the various categories. The event is divided into ten
disciplines that cater for the experts as well as the novice competitors. The
disciplines include the bull ride,
barrel race, steer wrestling, tie down, saddle bronc, bareback ride and junior
events of steer riding, novice bareback, saddle bronc and wild pony racing.
·
Calgary Chuck-wagon Derby: This Chuck Wagon race attracts a grand prize of more than $1 million.
Officially known as the Rangeland Derby, the race is approximately half a mile
long and is reputed to be a very hard race to win.
·
Calgary Stampede Exhibition: In line with the Stampede’s origins as an Agricultural Society event, the
exhibition is held every year and showcases over one thousand exhibitors of
agricultural goods. The exhibition features pedigree breed of horses, cows and
dogs, among others. Also featured in the exhibition are many agricultural
industry products.
·
Calgary Stampede Midway: The concerts
have featured many well-known musicians over the years and the 2014 Calgary
Concert will be grace by many famous musicians among them Shania Twain whose
tickets have already sold out.
·
Calgary Stampede Market: Traders in various
commodities sell their wares at the Stampede Market every year. Goods offered
for sale at the market range from kids’ toys to electric and food items.
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