Formally, the Calgary Stampede is a “celebration of western values and heritage and boasts the richest outdoor rodeo in the world, thrilling chuck wagon races, a spectacular theatrical presentation known as the Evening Grandstand Show and world-class agricultural attractions and competitions.”

What most people know Stampede for is 10 days [...]]]> Cumulative attendance for 2010: 1,145,394!

Formally, the Calgary Stampede is a “celebration of western values and heritage and boasts the richest outdoor rodeo in the world, thrilling chuck wagon races, a spectacular theatrical presentation known as the Evening Grandstand Show and world-class agricultural attractions and competitions.”

What most people know Stampede for is 10 days of cowboy hats, belt buckles, huge lineups, and partying.  The weather didn’t quite cooperate the entire time but vibe was great, the events were entertaining and Calgary was beautiful as usual.

Read on for more about the Stampede, the city of Calgary, and a few pictures.

A little more about “Cow-town”

Calgary is Canada’s third most densely populated city, and the largest in Alberta.  Headquarter to many of Alberta’s oil field related companies, it’s easy to see Calgary’s skyline change from year to year.

Calgary's downtown skyline. Towered over by The Bow - estimated completion 2011

The Bow is a 158,000-square-metre (1.7 million sq ft) office building currently under construction for the headquarters of EnCana Corporation. The skyscraper will be built in downtown Calgary, Alberta. The building will be the tallest office tower in Canada outside of Toronto, a title currently held by the Suncor Energy Centre’s West tower, also in Calgary. The Bow is also considered the start of redevelopment in Downtown East Village.

Oh! One more fun fact…

The Caesar Cocktail was created by Calgary bartender Walter Chell at the Owl’s Nest Bar in the Calgary Inn in in 1969, when he added “clam nectar” (whatever that is) to a Bloody Mary (vodka and tomato juice). In its original form, it contained tomato juice and mashed clams; Clamato had only just been released (with the assistance of Chell) by the Mott’s company that very year, and was not yet widely known or available.

The 100th year anniversary of the Stampede is 2012.  See ya’ll there!