The 10-day Calgary Stampede can trace its roots back to the 1880s and is the highlight of Calgary's summer, cementing this Alberta city's reputation as Canada's "Stampede City." This famous rodeo-billed as "The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth"-is held in July and includes all kinds of cowboy- and rodeo-style entertainment and exhibitions. The population and up to a million visitors alike dress accordingly, and blue jeans and brightly colored Stetsons become the order of the day.
Events include a big parade, rodeo competitions, thrilling chuck wagon races, an authentic First Nations village, concerts and stage shows, a fun fair, pancake breakfasts, as well as agricultural shows.
Getting to Stampede Park, the festival's permanent home, is easy either by public transit or car, with plenty of parking available, and even if you are here in the off-season a visit and tour-or possibly taking in a concert here-remains one of the top things to do in Calgary
