Police, officials working to keep Calgary Stampede running smooth and safe
Posted Jul 10, 2026 12:15 pm.
The Calgary Stampede is welcoming roughly 1.5 million visitors this year, and officials say a large, coordinated safety operation is working behind the scenes to keep the 10‑day festival running smoothly.
Stampede public safety director Kerrie Blizard says most prohibited items confiscated at the gates have come from parents who simply forget what’s in their bags.
“Think it’s just people remembering that if you wouldn’t bring it to the airport, don’t bring it here,” she said.
Blizard notes items like scissors left in a child’s backpack are common.
She encourages families to prepare before arriving and make sure youth know where security officers are located. She also says to set a meeting spot with friends, and charge phones ahead of time.
Calgary mom Brittney Wilson says her family uses a “secret password” system to help keep her children safe.
“If the adult doesn’t know, they scream and yell and kick and bite,” she said.
Stampede officials work closely with Calgary Police Service (CPS), Alberta Health Services, the fire department and other agencies out of a temporary operations centre on the grounds.
CPS Acting Sgt. Jon Pierce says the setup allows officers to respond quickly and maintain a strong presence throughout the park.
“We’ve built up the number of officers on the grounds. Little bit more visible, just our presence alone I think has helped,” he said.
This year, the Stampede has been without major incident. Last year, police responded to a triple stabbing on the grounds that resulted in an 18-year-old being charged.
