Suggestions where to watch Stampede fireworks with 96yr old in wheelchair?

[Sr. Mints]

My Grandpa wants to see the fireworks next week; he told me he can't remember the last time he's seen fireworks. So I'm going to take him.

The thing is, he can walk--say out of a car and into a chair--but not far at all, and he's in a wheel chair or motorized cart 98% of the time. Parking a car and travelling to the usual spots I know of is out of the question, and I think navigating a crowd of people will be a nightmare.

Can anyone think of a good spot, relatively people-free we'd be able to go, get out of the car, maybe sit on the hood and have a clear view of the fireworks?

I'm thinking somewhere in Inglewood, maybe?

[Beerfest]

Scotmans hill, perhaps? Right above the Saddledome.

[squiggs96]

Tell him you took him yesterday and he really enjoyed them. At his age he will likely believe you and won't disagree, for it will make him seem forgetful.

[GreatWhiteEbola]

I used to park the car on the grass at Spiller Rd and 25 Ave on the SE corner. Not sure if that is frowned upon these days. Make sure you have the accessible parking permit on display, that thing will allow you to park anywhere without getting hassled.

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by Beerfest

Scotmans hill, perhaps? Right above the Saddledome.

Problem with that is you can't get anywhere near there with a car during Stampede. You would be doing a lot of walking and pushing a wheelchair to get up there.

[cKy]

Maybe try calling the Rotary group of Calgary and explain the situation. They maybe able to give you a free pass to the grounds with some special parking spot or something.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by cKy

Maybe try calling the Rotary group of Calgary and explain the situation. They maybe able to give you a free pass to the grounds with some special parking spot or something.

I think this is your best bet.

[Rhettzky]

Park in Manchester close to the Water Centre. It's free and you can see the fire-works clearly and even part of the stage in front of the grand-stand from there.

[killer_carlson]

you ought to be able to find a good spot at Cemetary hill for a wheelchair. I used to go there a few times, albeit without a chair.

[getbak]

There's the Ukrainian church with the copper roof overlooking the city in Renfrew. It has a big parking lot beside the church and an unobstructed view of the Stampede Grounds.

http://maps.google.com/?ll=51.058458...,168.9,,0,7.41

It looks like it has a gate on the parking lot, so I don't know if they close it at night, but if they do, the street in front of the church is a cul-de-sac with a sidewalk down to the cliff's edge. It's pretty easy to get to from anywhere in the city too (either Edmonton Trail to 8th Ave or 16th to 6th St).

[DownhillGoat]

Calgary Tower.

Won't get the sound effects, but great view, easy to get to/in/around, and virtually nobody there.

[pylon]

Good on ya. That's a really nice thing for you to do.

There is an overpass that goes over Macleod trail between the cemeteries, right near the Shaw Cable building. It is where I usually catch them. Just stand right on the over pass. I would however go a night in advance and check them out first. Depending on the year, sometimes the fireworks can be lower/higher, making the vantage point hit or miss.

[Sr. Mints]

Thanks for the suggestions, folks.

[THE SCUD]

I smell a CP Jihad!

tweet @calgarystampede Is there any way you guys can help this 96yr old Calgarian out? He wants to see the fireworks! http://tinyurl.com/43uvlh7

[puckluck]

There's a very good place in the dirty SE. I think it's 26 St Se right along the road where the Canoe club is.

Lots of parking and it's not that busy. You can even park in the parking lots and watch from there.