Calgary Stampede 2025 Grandstand Show

 Originally I had planned to drive to the Stampede and park, for $30. Taking the train had worked so well, I decided we'd do that again, and get a locker. Most of what we wanted to do was near the south end, and the parking lot was at the north end.

We didn't need to go as early as yesterday, which was nice. It was also Saturday, so we could park in a spot in the reserved section that was empty. We got the train at 12:37. It wasn't too busy, not too surprising since we get on at the end of the line. We got off at the Earlton Station, at the south end. Going through security, I don't remember which day it was, but I set off the metal detector. I was sure I had emptied my pockets, but the wand picked something up. I wasn't wearing a belt, or an underwire bra. Turned out, I had a nickel in my pocket. A nickel didn't make it through security, but later in the Stampede, a knife (or two) did and there were 3 people stabbed. 

There is a little shed with storage for $5, operated by the Girl Guides. Not exactly lockers, but they were super nice and everyone in the group could just take a photo of the number ticket, if they wanted to come back without me. You can access all day, probably until 11:30 when the wheelchairs and strollers have to be back.

We were headed to the RCMP Musical Ride first. I see now that I probably confused "RCMP Horses" with "RCMP Musical Ride" and we weren't at the right building. However, they're neighbouring. The kids decided to go get midway food. Rob and I went in to the arena area and easily found seats. Actual seats, not bleachers. I opted to go to the snack bar and get poutine.

What is more Canadian than some poutine while watching the RCMP Musical Ride? I have wanted to see it for years. 

 

I know a video would be better LOL. I'm sure there's lots on YouTube. I will say, the announcing was nice, but I thought it would be more like synchronized skating, where they're interpreting the music. Instead, it was like a minute of a Canadian pop song from history, and then the announcer saying what the next move was and describing it.

Although the arena is big, they actually put pylons up to make it smaller and give reference points for different maneuvers. Some of the moves were really cool, and a few were like, um, okay, thanks.

Overall, I'm glad I got to see it. I wonder if their shows are always like this, or if they do more of a "musical ride" type show?

After, some got "milk and cookies" from a fundraiser booth, which were actually Wagon Wheels... what would you call them? Snack cakes?

Then there was some aimless wondering it seemed. I wanted to see the Big Four Roadhouse, which said it had food exhibitors and somethings I didn't know what they were. Indeed, in the basement level there are food booths and lots of seating. I wish we had been directed here yesterday. It was expensive, but a nice reprieve from the heat. We actually didn't get anything though.

Several wanted to go to the Stampede store. There were small tents with items around, but we found an actual store. Everyone got something, except Hugh.

I bought a new "buff" but I was a little surprised at how long it was. I might have to trim it down. Also, it's not a seamless tube like the other imitation Buffs I have. 

We decided we'd go for an early dinner. We stopped at the lockers to drop off our stuff and asked for recommendations. The lady didn't really know anything if we went out the south entrance and recommended we go to the Victoria Park entry and walk west. This is what Lucy's friend said to do too.

It was so hot. Well, probably not actually hot by Ontario standards, but it was quite sunny! We walked about 20 minutes and Lucy suggested the Elephant & Castle. They have one in Toronto and her office goes there for socials (but she hadn't been yet). We had walked along 17th Ave SW and it was a block north on 4 St SW. As we approached, we saw a loud large patio tent, so we asked to be seated inside for the AC, but somewhere quiet. Well, inside was not quiet. We were taken to a booth in a cubby that had a speaker aimed down on the table. Part way through dinner, they even turned the music up.

It was happy hour, so we all got drinks! No one was driving for a change, so that was nice. The food was okay. Typical bar type foods, probably from a food supplier. I had wanted to go to a unique Calgary restaurant, like Class Clown Burgers, or something else we don't have. 

We headed back to go to the Grandstand Show. As we walked along 17th Ave SW, I saw a park/homeless camp leading to a big cathedral. I dragged my family through the park towards St Mary's Cathedral. It's an interesting design, and the bells started ringing as we approached. Mass just ended so we didn't go in, but it killed a bit of time. 

We got to the entrance, and the crowd was MASSIVE. Lucy went and asked a volunteer if we had to wait in that crowd since we were re-entries. They said yes. We decided to get on the train, head one stop south, and get off and go in where we had gone in that afternoon. Technically, we should have bought tickets, but c'mon. One stop. I spent almost $80 in tickets for two days. They really need a better pass option for groups, especially on the weekend/during Stampede. 

Entry was much quicker at the Earlton Entry. This night was Shania Twain's concert. We don't know if ticket holders had to enter through Victoria Park or not, but if you're going on an evening when there's a concert at the Saddledome, consider the Earlton Entry. 

We had lots of time, but the doors to the Grandstand were open, so after the girls got some mini doughnuts, we headed in. Again, when we asked which way to our section, the employee was a little vague and then I guess they realized we really didn't know one section from another and walked us over. I'm sorry I interrupted your conversation with a co-worker, but I didn't know where to go!

Our seats were good, almost mid-stands, a few rows up. I really had no idea where would be good seats when I bought them. I had gotten on the Stampede email list and they sent a 2 for 1 ticket sale. So I looked at the highest priced ones (but not the suites LOL) and chose the next cheapest level. Or maybe these were the high price section. They were originally about $120 each. I was worried when I bought them because you couldn't add single tickets, and I needed 5 in total. I had to find where to buy them regularly online, and buy one single. Thankfully, there was one at the end of the 4 seats.

We had a good view of the Saddledome. On the Stampede map, they show it as being almost round. I didn't believe it, but according to the satellite view on Maps, it is! What an optical illusion!

The Calgary Stampede Showband came on stage to perform O Canada. It's a large band, and standing in a formation like this across the stage, especially on a windy night, makes for challenging performing!

We had noticed a helicoptor, and it came flying over with a very large Canadian flag. Pretty cool!

The Calgary Stampede Show Riders also did a version of their show before the show.

There was even a very handy demonstration on how the chuck wagon races work. Though, the demo was one team and the races have three teams!

I knew there were controversies with the chuck wagon races--there had been horses killed in other years. I really didn't know anything about the race itself though. I thought it was just around the track or something. No! There's two "outriders" with horses that aren't part of the team, and four horses for the chuck wagon. The teams come in, warm up around their numbered barrels. One outrider gets a fake camp stove out and has to throw it back in the wagon when the signal to start the race goes. Then he has to mount up and get moving. The other outrider also has to mount up. The chuck wagon team has to figure 8 around their barrels, without knocking any down, and then head out of the main area and around the track. The outriders must be within 200ft of the team when they cross the finish line. 

The individual heats (there were 9!) lasted only 1min 12sec to 1min 18 seconds. However, before each heat, there's a video describing the three teams, they come in for the warm up, they race, then they come back again to show off their sponsor ads and wave and throw t-shirts. 

The race is fast, but the whole event is very slow. Sometimes in between heats there were other things like the female stunt riders, and this adorable event:

These are the little ponies you have to pump your legs to make move. It was adorable. 

Indigenous culture is big at the Stampede. I doubt it's always been that way, but it was great to see. This is a world champion hoop dancer. Fantastic!

We were also excited to see the Indian relay races. Again, we knew nothing about them except they rode bareback and it was fast and dangerous. It was quite thrilling but there were no oopsie moments.

There were Indigenous performers between races too.

Finally, it was time for the Grandstand show. I knew Carolyn Dawn Johnson was the main act, but I had no idea there was so much more to the Grandstand show. In case you're wondering who CDJ is:

Someone hadn't brought a sweater or jacket and was feeling a little chilly.  He rarely is, or at least, rarely admits to it LOL.

First, they had to pull this large stage over to the middle area. Then they set up all sorts of things on stage, including dirt bike stunt ramps and landing pad.

I couldn't help myself but gasp and be amazed with the stunt riders! Their poor mothers!

There was a square dance club from Calgary performing, along with a live fiddle and singer. The singer sang mostly lyrics though, I would have liked to hear someone sing and someone else do the calling. Isn't that the point of square dance?

And then there were the youth performers! Something like 200 youths also did some numbers, including a band (they might not have been youths).

This guy! You can see below how he was suspended from the top. He performed an acrobatic number, I think to "Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy." It was fun.

He also performed quite a long routine down on the stage, balancing on various objects, higher and higher and all that sort of stuff.  Fun to watch, he was quite strong and good!

I didn't realize there were all these other acts before the Grandstand Show. Finally, it was time for Miss Carolyn Dawn Johnson. Her voice sounded amazing, but the sound system sucked. It had been pretty lousy all through the Grandstand Show and it's too bad it wasn't better for her portion. It was so loud, but unclear. The layers all blended together too much. I plugged my ears and it sounded much better. I thought it was just me, but the kids agreed that it was mixed wrong, and perhaps the wrong mics for the windy night.  It was only the second night of the Stampede, so I hope they got it sorted out.

Once she had done her hits, we opted to leave.  Some of us were a little cold, and we were tired. So we also didn't see the drone show or the fireworks.  We thought we might see the fireworks while still in the park, but I guess it took awhile. We headed to the lockers and got our stuff, then headed out to the CTrain.  It was really busy on the train for at least half the way home. It was also really busy around the exits of the Stampede Grounds (had Shania's concert just ended?). I'm glad we didn't drive.

One other thing I learned only a couple weeks before the Stampede--the rodeo is not included!! When I found that out, I tried to get tickets but it was crazy expensive.  These two days were some of the hardest planning I have ever had for a trip. Co-ordinating information from different sources, maps, timing, it was all a little much. We never got to see a rodeo, the Super Dogs, or any of the farm show stuff (Team Cattle Penning or Heavy Horse Show). I think three half days would have been better. We had left Sunday open, not knowing if we'd want to go back for another day but we didn't want to pay admission (we got in free on Friday, and on Saturday, the Grandstand Show ticket includes admission). There was a free pancake breakfast on Sunday, with free entry, but the kids didn't want soggy pancakes LOL. Also, we had really lucked out on the weather considering the forecast earlier in the week. Sunday was still iffy. Stay tuned to see what we ended up doing!