July’s warm, sunny days signal the start of summer — that time of year when families head to the lake. For anyone connected to rodeo, July translates into life on the road — the rodeo road.
So what’s it like to live at the Calgary Stampede for 10 days? Pretty unique …
The "family element" ever-present within the rodeo community is very much in evidence at the Stampede. Motorhomes, living-quarter horse trailers and travel trailers begin to populate designated areas of Stampede Park a few days prior to the start of the 10-day show. Similar to having a cabin at the lake, many of the rodeo and chuckwagon contract folks (judges, bull fighters, announcers and clowns) park beside one another year after year.
The evening prior to the start of Stampede is like old home week with everyone checking out how much the kids have grown, who’s riding a new horse and generally how the year has gone. In some cases, as contestants or contract people, we see one another every few days or weeks. With Stampede the temporary home of rodeo people from all over North America, the reunion may be an annual one only.
Cowboy Conveniences
Over the years, life at Stampede Park has changed — and not only in the size and look of the RV's rolling through the gates. From a rodeo perspective, it’s easier than ever to remain within the confines of Stampede Park and have most of the conveniences of home or campground.
Stampede staff make the daily rounds of the RV areas, providing septic tank pump-out service. Propane is also available on site.
While most "campers" arrive with their RV's well-stocked for the 10-day sojourn, the Stampede Rodeo committee offers a courtesy car service for contract people and contestants. Whether it’s a ride to the airport or grocery store, you’re in luck.
Cowboys flying in from other rodeos can arrange for a driver (complete with a sign bearing their name) to be waiting at the Calgary Airport ready to deliver them right outside the bucking chutes at Stampede Park. And as rodeo sound/music co-ordinator — and Texan — Benji Bendele explains, “If I need to make a trip to the grocery store, I can arrange to have a courtesy car pick me up, take me to the store and wait while I do my shopping. I can’t think of any other rodeo that offers this service.”
Concierge service
If you need laundry done, or your jeans starched "Texas-style," stop by a booth just outside the Stampede rodeo office any morning of Stampede. Dry Cleaning by Dave, a popular Cochrane, Alta.,-based business, offers cowboys an overnight laundry and dry-cleaning service. In business for over 40 years, "Dave" and his family put in 16-18 hour days during Stampede to accommodate the rodeo crowd and keep up with their existing clientele.
Rodeo contestants enjoy a hot courtesy lunch each day before the rodeo and a few beverages after — offered in the Stampede Rodeo Committee hospitality tent. Contestants are also provided with Wrangler jeans and other merchandise from major Stampede sponsors.
A new service available to contestants this year is a Calgary concierge. Alina Martin can help you find a great steak or pasta restaurant. She’ll also provide a map and directions. If you’d like to take your family to the Calgary Zoo, she has courtesy passes available.
And all these services are over and above the usual camaraderie and friendly goodwill that goes along with just being part of "The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth." So why head to the lake? The Calgary Stampede has it all!
Barb Poulsen is a web/print designer, freelance writer and barrel racer. Raised in Saskatchewan, she's lived over half her life in rural Alberta. A teacher for many years, she's also enjoyed participation in the western lifestyle - mainly through ranching, rodeo and of course, her horses. Barb lives south of Calgary on a small ranch in the Porcupine Hills with her writer/rodeo announcer husband, Dave.
