Tourists love Calgary’s city-wide western flair

The Calgary Stampede’s week of western flair and celebration brings people from all over to enjoy the city of Calgary, and it’s cowboy culture — and it’s making a mark on tourists.

Some attendees come with high expectations, saying they’re blown away at how the entire city gets behind the Calgary Stampede.

“I didn’t expect it so much — everybody wearing their Stetsons and their shirts and things — it’s very patrotic as well,” said one visitor. “We were in Dallas, Texas which is a cowboy state. So seeing that same feel, same vibe, it’s really nice to see.”

The Stampede’s reputation stretches far beyond the city itself.

Related stories

• Calgary Stampede says chuckwagon horse euthanized after suffering injury

• Calgary Stampede 2023 nearing record attendance as smoke rolls in 

“We only really thought about it as the Stampede, not so much Calgary as a city — but it’s lovely,” said one event-goer. “Most horse people that I know have heard of and are aware of the Stampede, maybe not Calgary as a city, but the Stampede itself, oh for sure.”

Downtown Calgary also transforms into a festive experience for those taking some time away from the grounds — bringing music and energy to the city streets.

“I really like the diversity. With the Bollywood dance thing?” another attendee added. “You don’t see that in Michigan… in a rodeo town? I mean that’s crazy and it’s so cool. I love it.”

The shared traditions, new and old, keep people coming back to Calgary.

“It’s just about the best rodeo in the world,” one woman said. “And we’ve been to a lot of little rodeos, and Calgary is amazing. It is the best, we love it.

“And I know next to nothing, but I can even tell the quality of the riders, the sportsmanship, the animals — it’s really good.”