Everything you need to know about the 2024 Calgary Stampede
The Calgary Stampede celebrates TC Energy Community Day today, offering free admission for everyone until 2 p.m., and free admission for seniors (65+) and veterans all day.
Seniors and veterans will also have access to free coffee and doughnuts in the BMO plaza until 11 a.m.
90,843 people visited the Stampede on Monday, down significantly from Sunday’s all-time-high daily attendance of 201,260 people.
Total 2024 Stampede attendance to date is 629,650 people.
Calgary Stampede music picks for July 9
Badlands Music Festival
Who: John Summit, Max Styler and Vnssa. Doors open at 6 p.m.
An electronic festival that runs downtown during Stampede, the Badlands Music Festival offers a significant departure from the twang. Over 10 days, an all-star lineup of DJs and EDM stars. That includes John Summit, and American DJ who has taken his talents across the word at festivals such as Coachella, Lollapalooza, Tomorrowland and Electric Daisy Carnival.
Big Four Roadhouse
Who: Chromeo. Show at 11 p.m.
Montreal’s electro-funk duo Chromeo have been offering their patented mix of dance, rock, synth-pop and soul for 22 years, earning a number of Juno nominations and even a Grammy nod in 2019 for Best Engineered Album. Adult Contemporary, the act’s sixth album, came out earlier this year and won praise for showcasing maturity without losing their beats and sense of fun.
Cowboys Music Festival
Who: Metro Boomin, Swae Lee and Lil John. Doors open at 5 p.m.
Regarded as one of the most influential producers in modern hip hop and trap music, Metro Boomin takes the stage with Swae Lee and special guest Lil John. Cowboys Music Festival guarantees a good night with this lineup, calling Lil John a professional party starter.
Visitors get first taste of expanded BMO Centre as Stampede cracks attendance record
Thousands of visitors to the 2024 Calgary Stampede have had a chance to mosey through the expansive halls of Calgary’s newly expanded BMO Centre, learning what makes the space tick.
With the Stampede cracking a Family Day record on Sunday at 201,260 attendees, total attendance so far on the grounds is over 500,000.
The $500-million BMO Centre expansion made the convention centre the largest of its kind in Western Canada, and opened the door to congregations that would have previously skipped Calgary.
This is the first year Stampede-goers and vendors have had access to the 500,000 square feet of rentable space the new building has to offer.
“It represents opportunities for more vendors, a lot of those from southern Alberta, to be able to show their skills and their talents,” said Greg Newton, the Stampede’s executive vice-president of conventions and events.
Katelyn Scott applauds her horse after barrel race win at Stampede
Leading off the barrel racing competition on Monday, Scott’s time of 17.12 seconds stood up as the fastest of the day to win her $7,000 in prize money.
“I just had to get ready and being first on the ground, I tried to take advantage of it,” said the 33-year-old cowgirl from Odessa, Tex. “I did appreciate (going first), just because I didn’t have time to really think about it.”
Scott earned the right to compete at the Greatest Outdoor Show On Earth by virtue of her performance at a Calgary Stampede barrel racing qualifier in Salina, Utah.
Danielle Smith dons apron for her second premier’s Stampede breakfast
Throngs of people joined lineups to be served pancakes Monday by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith at her official Calgary Stampede breakfast.
It was Smith’s second annual appearance at the traditional event. This year, she said, the Stampede feels different.
“I just feel like we got our groove back,” she told reporters.
Smith said people are embracing the 10-day festival and rodeo as a chance to do business and honour the province’s heritage at its numerous events.
“There was a time a few years ago when things weren’t so good in the economy (and) everybody was scaling back their parties. And I just don’t feel that this year,” said Smith.
The premier’s office said about 3,600 people were fed Monday and about 4,000 people were in attendance. Staff said it was the largest turnout in over a decade.
Calgary Smith has dreamed of competing in the Calgary Stampede
“I’ve always wanted to compete at the Calgary Stampede just because my name’s that,” said Smith, who is entered with partner Brady Tryan in Wednesday night’s team roping competition at the Nutrien Western Event Centre. “It’s so cool. I’m just excited to get to go.”
Hailing from Adams, Ore., Smith has never met anyone else with the distinct first name his parents gave to him.
“They just thought it was kind of a cool and unique name,” said Smith, who learned about the Calgary Stampede from watching taped — yes, taped — performances of the famous outdoor rodeo. “We have old VHS tapes and stuff that we had recorded off the TV that had old Calgary videos on it and stuff.”
What our photographers saw on Monday
With files from Eric Volmers, Dr. Merle Olson, Steven Wilhelm, Laurence Heinen and The Canadian Press