As the Calgary Stampede celebrates 100 years of chuckwagon races and pancake breakfasts at this year’s event, there’s no shortage of fun for families at Stampede Park.
Calgarian Susie Rollings is looking to take full advantage of the Stampede’s free events with her husband and two young kids by heading to the park on Kids’ Day.
The BMO-sponsored Kids’ Day is one of several days with cheap admission — offering children aged 12 and under free entry all day and free access for everyone else from 8-10 a.m. on July 12.
‘You can spend a lot of money, but you don’t have to’
Rollings said she loves watching her five- and two-year-old kids enjoy all of the novel experiences the Stampede has to offer.
“In the agriculture building, they can see all of the animals there,” she said. “It’s all new to them and it’s fun to see them get excited about the newness of it all.”
By planning their trip to Stampede Park around the free events, Rollings said it’s sure to be a fun, family outing that’s also budget-friendly.
“We enjoy the free shows and the Elbow River Camp — that’s where we ate the picnic lunch that we brought last year — and we usually grab a few Stampede foods to try,” she said. “That’s what I like about it. You can spend a lot of money but you don’t have to.”
The free pancake breakfasts scheduled across the city are another way to cut costs during Stampede, she said.
Rollings is hoping her family can watch the Dog Bowl again this year after missing it in 2022 because of long lineups.
The Dog Bowl is one of several free shows that take place around the park during the 10-day event. This year there are two new shows at the Stage of Wonders located in the BMO Centre.
“We’re thrilled to bring a magic show and the aerial circus show to that stage. We’ve brought back the Powwow this year and the Dog Bowl is in a new location,” said Shannon Greer, manager of communications and media relations with the Calgary Stampede.
The midway has also introduced some new rides for kids, including two rides that caregivers can enjoy with their children.
Summer synonymous with the Stampede for many Calgary kids
“We have so many different options for people to do and the Stampede app is the best way to plan your day,” Greer said.
Attendance is expected to be high, with ticket sales indicating the Calgary Stampede could welcome more than 1.2 million visitors from July 7 to 16.
Airdrie resident Olivia Storey said she’s most excited to introduce her one-year-old son to the sights and sounds of the Calgary Stampede for the first time this year.
“He’s going to be very interested in all of it. And he’ll probably be a bit overwhelmed, as I think most people are when they go to the Stampede for the first time,” she said.
Growing up in the Calgary area, Storey said summer has always been synonymous with the Calgary Stampede. She’s happy to introduce her child to the annual tradition of spending time with family, friends and kids at Calgary Stampede events.
“It’ll be cool for him to grow up near a city that has that tradition and has such a world-renowned event every year that people come from all over the world to participate in,” she said.
