FirstEnergy cancels longstanding Calgary Stampede bash due to economic squeeze

[taco.vidal]

Stampede is going to be quite subdued this year. I think there will be a lot of drinking but not much true partying. Good on First Energy for making the charity donation in lieu.

http://www.calgarysun.com/2016/03/31...onomic-squeeze

FirstEnergy cancels longstanding Calgary Stampede bash due to economic squeeze

BY BILL KAUFMANN, CALGARY SUN
FIRST POSTED: THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016 02:46 PM MDT | UPDATED: THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2016 05:01 PM MDT

First Energy Capital’s iconic FirstRowdy bash is the latest Stampede party to fall to hard times.

The announcement Thursday adds to a growing casualty list of events claimed by dismal oil prices.

FirstRowdy, a 20-year Stampede week mainstay, attracted at least 1,500 people and raised more than $200,000 for charity.

The move was made both to save money and to send a message during trying times in Calgary, said Company Executive Chairman Jim Davidson.

“It costs a lot to take on and we’re also cognizant of the temperament and mood of the city is in,” he said, pegging its pricetag at more than $400,000.

“Whether or not there’s a charitable component, an excessive party in this kind of environment isn’t really going to go ahead.

“It took quite a bit of soul-searching to come to this decision.”

He said the company will still donate $100,000 to charity in lieu of the bash.

[WhiteTiger]

I, for one, am OK with a 'subdued' Stampede atmosphere... <.< >.>

[Looch City]

What's next, no spit roasts?

[Reaper]

Originally Posted by taco.vidal

Stampede is going to be quite subdued this year. I think there will be a lot of drinking but not much true partying.

This depends entirely on how one defines party.

[PsYcNeT]

This definitely needed it's own thread.

[Tacopuck]

No economy can take Stampede away from me..... I will be drunk, and I will Party

[Weitz]

There will still be lots of money flowing around. Some of my vendors have already mentioned this to me.

[KevanGuy]

Originally Posted by PsYcNeT

This definitely needed it's own thread.

Who are you? The thread police? If you don't have anything constructive to post then don't. At all. That would be great.

[PsYcNeT]

Originally Posted by KevanGuy

Who are you? The thread police? If you don't have anything constructive to post then don't. At all. That would be great.

I assume this "constructive posting" rule will be applied to everyone else on the forum, yes?

[KevanGuy]

Keep it up.

[BigNumbers]

Dammit... FirstRowdy is always a bang up time...Always enjoy this one + Dogie Do Rodeo...

[corporatejay]

I think this both a bit of optics and economics. People are cutting all over and I assume they don't want to see their service providers whooping it up.