How "World Famous" is the Stampede actually?

[Addick]

Originally Posted by Zarley

I've been to Oktoberfest and while I had fun there, I actually think the Stampede is a better festival for the following reasons:

- You can partake in Stampede events and genuinely enjoy yourself without necessarily drinking yourself into a stupor. The Oktoberfest grounds are disgusting, with garbage everywhere, thousands and thousands of obnoxious drunks milling about, and vomit littering the sidewalks. I wouldn't recommend going there without having a buzz on. While Stampede certainly involves heavy drinking, there is plenty of other entertainment available including the animal exhibitions, rodeo, chucks, and good concerts.

- Essentially what happens at Oktoberfest is you queue up at 9 AM to get into a beer hall, sit down at a table, and drink stein after stein for 12 hours straight (and eat delicious, delicious chicken). It's fun, but I prefer the setup at the Cowboys tent where you can mingle about, aren't stuck at a table all day, and don't have to start drinking first thing in the morning. Also, there aren't enough washrooms at the Oktoberfest beer tents I went to, so they were letting people out to urinate on the grass in the open.

- It's tough to evaluate this as a tourist, but there didn't seem to be many Oktoberfest events outside of the Wiesn (fairgrounds). The great thing about Stampede is the community and corporate embrace of the event.

- They have a midway with rides there as well, but it's essentially the same thing as the Stampede midway.

All in all, Oktoberfest was good but I wouldn't want to go there every year. I can partake in the Stampede and have fun year after year. If Oktoberfest is being cited as the standard of a world class festival, I'd say we are doing pretty well.

I have yet to attend Oktoberfest so thanks for the interesting insight. What I can take from your post is that the organisers of Oktoberfest could benefit from asking the same questions that the board of the Calgary Stampede should ask. Primarily, where can we take things from here?

[Joborule]

When the new Flames arena gets built, that's going to be the primary venue for big concerts. There's no point in keeping the Saddledome for that.

If the Saddledome gets torn down, they could turn the land into a ampitheatre. Stampede could attract more country (and general) acts to perform numerous times throughout the day; ensuring they'll keep the big music acts on their land. I think embracing the music aspect of Stampede more would be a good move for them.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by peter12

The stories my dad tells about the Stampede in the 80s make us all look like a bunch of Puritans!

Workplace functions were definitely a lot more wild than they are now. But I remember those days, and I don't recall public sex acts and brawls with knives as being especially common. The grounds themselves certainly weren't anywhere as sleazy as they are now (the Stampede didn't even have beer tents back then).

[peter12]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Workplace functions were definitely a lot more wild than they are now. But I remember those days, and I don't recall public sex acts and brawls with knives as being especially common. The grounds themselves certainly weren't anywhere as sleazy as they are now (the Stampede didn't even have beer tents back then).

I was thinking more of the former. Now, yes, I stay away from the grounds, and my fiancee doesn't go through certain areas alone at night, areas that are safe the other 355 days of the year.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by peter12

The stories my dad tells about the Stampede in the 80s make us all look like a bunch of Puritans!

Banditos! Cocaine! Franky and Johnny's! The Cecil!

[Daradon]

When I worked at the Stampede I met many German and Japanese tourists. However I believe those two groups/countries are also among the most travelled in the world. I know Germans are.

Also, 'many' is obviously a experience of mine that may not hold up due to sample size. Still, I'd say it's fairly well known.

It's probably along the lines of Mardi Gras, though not as big as Oktoberfest or Carnivale.

[Daradon]

Originally Posted by Table 5

To be honest, I kind of feel a little sorry for anyone who travels across the world with the Stampede as their main destination. I mean the rodeo part is somewhat unique and interesting, but at the end of the day the whole thing takes place in a pretty crappy and dated location (yay giant dusty parking lot), and the Midway rides are of the same craptastic quality that I remember as a kid. If I paid thousand of dollars to attend that, I'd be a little let down after all the hype.

The Rockies are something that truly is world-class and I whole heartily recommend them to anyone I meet...but I don't think the Stampede can come anywhere close to the great festivals around the world. If a visitor wants the cowboy experience, I think they are better off heading into the beautiful ranch country outside of the city.

Probably been covered already but the Stampede is so much more than the actual grounds. The fair and the rodeo. The whole city gets behind it. It's part of the reason it's endured as a big event when so many other fairs are local and regional events.

Bars are packed and always have events, shows, or special menus. Banks put on breakfasts.Street performers come from all over the ccountry. Concerts flourish. Some big name, many indie. Recently over the last 15 years Stampede time in Calgary means a lot of djs and electronic acts show up. No doubt cashing in one people who are 'countried out'.

Stampede is one big city wide party. That's part of the appeal. People may not think the grounds amount to much (and I'll agree. Its one of the better fairs, but it still just a fair) but they often come back with memories of Calgary during Stampede. It's just an excuse to party and indulge. And it's done well. The city puts on a show.

Really, when you look at it, what are Mardi Gras and Oktoberfest really other than to drink, party, and be stupid while taking in some local flavor? There's no massive attraction other than the party. That's what Stampede is. Cowboy Western may be the theme. But it's not the point.

[ken0042]

I deleted several off topic posts regarding an incident that has already had it's thread deleted here on CP.

[Teh_Bandwagoner]

Originally Posted by The Familia

The new Agricom building is pretty nice and modern as is the BMO expansion. The rest of the park needs a huge overhaul. The old part of BMO needs a major refresh. The Big 4 needs to be torn down and the Grandstand is pretty shabby for a signature building. The old agriculture building can stay as it has character. Would love for the Corral to be completely renovated and turned into a nice 6000 seat arena! The Stampede has failed to kickstart its main street along Olympic Way. The Coke stage is terrible for concerts and cramped. For the prices they charge the parks appearance and buildings should reflect that.

I'm digging the new Ag Plex. It used to be that some of the best events on the grounds themselves were hidden from view. Had to head to some obsure barn to check out the sheep shearing or blacksmith competitions, or head to a near empty Saddledome to watch the stock dog competitions. It's nice seeing the crowds at these type of events now that they're in one central location.

[Ironhorse]

Originally Posted by Teh_Bandwagoner

I'm digging the new Ag Plex. It used to be that some of the best events on the grounds themselves were hidden from view. Had to head to some obsure barn to check out the sheep shearing or blacksmith competitions, or head to a near empty Saddledome to watch the stock dog competitions. It's nice seeing the crowds at these type of events now that they're in one central location.

I wish they would bring back the full contact jousting, and host it in the new AgPlex.

[Muta]

Maybe next year they can host the Superdogs in the Agrium; it seems to be a popular event that may need more seating...

[Ironhorse]

Ugh, no thanks. I personally don't see the ongoing fascination with those dogs.

[vegasbound]

Originally Posted by Teh_Bandwagoner

I'm digging the new Ag Plex. It used to be that some of the best events on the grounds themselves were hidden from view. Had to head to some obsure barn to check out the sheep shearing or blacksmith competitions, or head to a near empty Saddledome to watch the stock dog competitions. It's nice seeing the crowds at these type of events now that they're in one central location.

The Ag Plex was so needed. The cutting futurity and show they are putting on during Stampede are getting guys from Texas up here. No way they would have come before. My only complaint is they don't hold enough events in there outside of Stampede. But then again, I started complaining to some people they needed to put a large (500+ barrel racers) barrel race in there and they finally scheduled something.... 10 days after I have knee surgery

[#-3]

Originally Posted by Muta

Maybe next year they can host the Superdogs in the Agrium; it seems to be a popular event that may need more seating...

The Stampede has come a long way in making sure all of their events are full and in demand. When I was a kid, I think Super Dogs was in a half empty corral, and people just came and went as they please. The Saddledome used to have some tiny event like a slam dunk contest or team cattle penning for the 6 days until big concerts showed up for the final weekend.

I see them keeping seats scarce and in demand.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Ironhorse

Ugh, no thanks. I personally don't see the ongoing fascination with those dogs.

Perhaps because you're not a child.

edit: I didn't even mean that sarcastically. Kids love those dogs. I loved those dogs as a kid.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by #-3

The Stampede has come a long way in making sure all of their events are full and in demand. When I was a kid, I think Super Dogs was in a half empty corral, and people just came and went as they please. The Saddledome used to have some tiny event like a slam dunk contest or team cattle penning for the 6 days until big concerts showed up for the final weekend.

I see them keeping seats scarce and in demand.

Perhaps, but they'd fill the Agrium for sure. It's much smaller than the Corral, and would be a pretty good use of the facility. There's also things to see in there and is still located in a high-traffic area, so there's lots to like about the Agrium as a future host of that event.

[Ironhorse]

Put the dogs back in the Corral. The Ag Plex is a proper horse arena, with good access and lighting, and would better serve horsemanship related events.

[OMG!WTF!]

The Stampede is great. For $18 I saw the interesting 45 minutes of a typical $250 Vegas Cirque show, dogs herding ducks, horses herding cows, mini donkey's pulling mini chariots, Kiesza, mega horses pulling massive sleds, a wicked fireworks show and a world class art show. It's ridiculous.

[Swift]

They started charging for the Superdogs this year.

[albertGQ]

Originally Posted by Cameron Swift

They started charging for the Superdogs this year.

No they didn't.