Calgary Stampede parties multiply but with increased cost
Posted Jul 12, 2023 8:27 am.
With a struggling economy and some COVID-19 restrictions still looming last year, limited Stampede parties and events took place in Calgary. This year, one local event company says they are seeing almost a 25 percent increase in their booked Stampede events.
“We’ve seen just over 400 Stampede events this year, which is great and last year we were just sitting over 300 — so definitely a strong increase from year to year,” said Natalie Alexandre, director of events with the Concorde Group.
Another Calgary event rental company that has been operating in the city for over 30 years says there are a number of factors which have played into this increase.
“COVID is not existent anymore in anyone’s minds,” said Darren Kershaw, Owner of Special Event Rentals Calgary. “The numbers are bigger, one of the big events we do at Patterson’s, that’s 3,500 people and the quantities of events…
“So the numbers are up for barbecues and pancakes and we’re doing more rentals than we did last year.”
WATCH: The price is right? The cost of attending the Calgary Stampede
And it seems more parties attract more party goers.
“It’s been so long since you’ve had a chance to get out and everybody enjoy and really get back into that city spirit,” said one event attendee. “So it’s nice to see that Calgary spirit out there out and alive.”
“Thursday night Ranchman’s is totally fun, great group of people love to feel all the different energy. Friday PipBuck concert, Saturday night I was here. Excellent,” added another.
“Everybody dancing so much fun that we’re all together and here I am back again.”
It’s not only the number of parties that have increased, but also their cost.
Related stories:
-
Weekend 1 of Calgary Stampede breaks records
-
IN PHOTOS: Thousands participate in 2023 Calgary Stampede Parade
This year, a corporate event for 100 people could cost roughly $12,000.
“Last year would have been probably under [$8,000-$9,000), due to the fact there wasn’t as many people doing events so the businesses were hungry for for that revenue,” Kershaw explained. “So the costs weren’t as high and, and, you know, again, our supply chain and all the things that food costing I mean look at the food costing in the last six months alone.”
Alexandre said it’s common these days for large-scale events to cost more.
“It’s pretty pretty standard now that inflation has kind of come up especially with COVID,” she explained. “So we do definitely see that but it’s certainly not stopped anyone from wanting to come out and make sure that they’re having a good time.”
