18.07.06

The Calgary Stampede

Posted in Canada at 11:27 pm by AB

So a while ago my brother Dwayne said he was thinking of coming out to Canada to visit, he threw some dates at me and i worked out that they coincided with the 2006 edition of the Calgary Stampede. I had been told by a few people that a trip to Calgary during Stampede is not to be missed. So when Dwayne said he and Xavier were coming i booked accommodations at the Calgary Backpacker Hostel and the early plans were laid.

I mentioned it at work back in February and Adam (hereafter known as Panda) said he was keen so i changed the booking to 4, and the posse was formed. In the mean time Laura, who used to work at the shop had returned to Calgary and was putting in the research. Laura’s place was taken at the store by Kerry, who spends the winter in Calgary at University and is a big “country” girl despite growing up in Vancouver. So she was armed with all the necessary knowledge on the town and was getting increasingly jealous as we drew closer to departure date. Kerry did however, put that jealousy behind her and make us a Double-CD compilation of Country Music for the trip. Panda and I made sure that got played a lot… “so hold my beer, while i kiss your girlfriend…”

The Calgary Stampede is a combination agricultural show like you see in Australia, and part all things Cowboy and Western. It is home to one of the world’s largest and richest Rodeos, a daily 9 race card of Chuckwagon races and concerts of Country and also more mainstream bands too. Basically a 9 day party in the city of Calgary.

With the Hire Car picked up we were ready to leave at 6 am monday morning for the 12 hour drive to Calgary. Dwayne and Xavier had been to a concert on the Sunday night and were a little shabby on the Monday as we picked them up.

At Kamloops Dwayne and Xavier were introduced to Tim Horton’s. Timmy’s was then to become the default stop on the Highway. The standard order was the Toasted BLT sandwich. Dwayne argued that the Lettuce and Tomato meant he was eating healthy. A definite a step up from McDonalds.

Eventually we reached the Alberta Border…

The boys got in the way of my photo.

Better!!!

We arrived into Calgary about 7 to be told that 3 of us would be in one dorm room and 1 in another, despite the fact that we booked in February. After being told there was “nothing she could do” some constant harassment came up with a solution of two and two. Eventually it was rectified to all four. 4 of 6 votes!!! We ran that dorm room.

That night we went out for a quiet dinner before a few games of pool and some quality sleep. Dwayne and Xavier made sure they spotted all the “local talent”.

We made sure we all went out and got matching hats for the week. The boys were really excited for the week ahead!!!

After a morning of wandering around the Stampede grounds we decided that Wednesday night would be the night for the Chuckwagon Races, and Friday would be rodeo day. Tonight we would be joining Laura for dinner and drinks. So we decided to get a head start on Laura and hit the Nashville North Beer Tent/Pavillion at the Stampede for a few early ones.

Tuesday night turned into a DIY bar crawl down the famed 17th Avenue, or the Red Mile as it is better known, where all the Calgary Flames fans get drunk in Playoff Times.

The Posse is rounded up, including Ben 5th vote from the Dorm Room. Try arguing with that posse when they wake you up at 3:30am…

Laura joined us on the famed red mile…

Aaron and Xavier mean business…

Dwayne and Xavier wanted to show their Mum’s that they at least knew where to wash clothes, whether they went there or not??

Wednesday after a late start we wandered around the city and checked things out before heading down to the Stampede later in the afternoon for a quick stop at Nashville North…

Followed by an evening at the Chuckwagon races and the Stampede Evening show. The 9 Race Card at the Races was good entertainment. Despite one horse going down in the first race and the tarps being bought out (luckilly the horse was unscathed) the rest of the races were full of excitment.

Next it was time for the Stampede show, this years theme was Canada - Moments in Time. After two minutes Dwayne turned to me and said is this lamer than the Rock Eisteddfod , and Xavier saying it was more boring than church. We sat there quietly for Panda, in a show of respect for his country. That was until 5 minutes later when Panda declared how lame the whole thing was and we quickly headed for the sanctuary of Nashville North and another late night.

Australian’s are everywhere, (well with the exception of that Canuck on the Left)

Panda draws in the girls, Dwayne and Aaron quicky get in on the action

Things get Rowdy…

Dwayne and Xavier throw around the accent…

Aaron makes sure everyone knows where this train stops…

Thursday was a relatively quiet day, we just hung out in town for a while, raced around town to find the Tack Shop (Horsey type shop with saddle, bits, bridles etc) so we could get the leather straps for our new Spurs, got the flat tyre in the car fixed and went out to laura’s for dinner. A quiet day so that we could get ready for the HUGE Friday.

Downtown Cowtown

Relaxing at the Hostel…

Meeting the locals…

Friday arrived all too soon. The plan was to go to the Rodeo at 1:30 then back to the hostel have a few drinks and return to the Stampede about 7:30. Laura and Panda would be taking in the Our Lady Peace concert; while Dwayne Xavier and I would be hitting Nashville North again! After lining up for 2 hours we were only 15 meters from the front of the line when Panda and Laura came looking to see what the line was like. That was the last we saw of them that night. Laura and Panda went downtown; Xavier, Dwayne and I got in to Nashville North about 15 minutes later and partied.

The Boys prepare for battle…

Am i supposed to support the Horse or Rider?

In the line to get into Nashville North…

Xavier tries a new Canadian Drink…

Then convinces this guy he is a professional and autographs his hat…

Meanwhile this girl was on her hen’s night, selling lifesavers swen on to her dress for $1…

The boys from small town Australia (Canberra) Barely anyone knew Canberra so all week we were the brothers from the Country…

And so that basically ended the week in Calgary. The next day we drove the 12 hours back from Calgary to Vancouver, it was a lot harder than the drive to Calgary. What a week. Rodeo’s were watched, chuckwagon races bet on, dances had and we had the occassional drink. Obviously a lot more photos were taken and if you want to see the rest of them make sure you check out the Gallery in the next few days. I’ll be putting a lot more on line in the next day or two.

Hi to everyone we met in Calgary that stumbles across the website. Hope you are well, drop us a line if you feel the need.

Well enough for now…

Cheers All.

Aaron (and Dwayne, Xavier and Panda)

Permalink