Calgary Stampede, July 10: Crowded concert raises safety questions Unexpected finds at BMO Centre Market
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Chuckwagon historian and commentator Billy Melville said although the sport has been around for more than a century, the objective has always remained the same.
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'Even though it's gone through a number of changes, there are three underlying principles that have guided the chuckwagon races since Day 1,' said Melville, who loves talking about the sport his grandfather, Orville Strandquist, excelled in at as both a driver and an outrider for seven decades up until the 1990s.
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'A chuckwagon race does three things. Number one is that it tests the skill of the driver; number two is that it tests the skill of the outriders; and number three, it demonstrates the speed of the team. It's really no more complicated than that.'
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While the Calgary Stampede is not likely to lose its boastful moniker 'The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth,' organizers of the 10-day spectacle have been taking great effort in recent years to add to its branding to emphasize there is more than a rodeo happening at Stampede Park.
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It is also being sold as 'The Greatest Music Festival in the West,' a testament to the eclectic music programming that takes over four venues on the Stampede grounds.
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Where else can you watch fireworks 10 days in a row? Calgary has the special privilege of a spectacular nighttime show starting at around 11 p.m. from July 4 to 13 while the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth takes over the city.
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Want to know where you can best see the fireworks? Here are the four best spots to take in the Stampede fireworks from around the city.
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Stampede Park
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While not free, this option gets you the best possible view. The fireworks shoot off right after the Grandstand show ends and you can get the best close-up view while on the Midway or right outside the rodeo grounds.
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Scotsman's Hill
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This spot has the best free vantage point. It is right across the river from the Stampede grounds in the community of Ramsey.
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Scotsman's Hill a very popular spot for fireworks viewing so show up early to find a spot to park and sit. Getting dropped off by a generous family member or a ride-share or taxi is a great option.
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A little farther north from Scotsman's Hill is Tom Campbell's Hill Natural Park. Near the Calgary Zoo, this spot still is close enough to give a great view of the fireworks.
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There is a parking lot on the north side of the park and is an 11-minute walk from the Calgary Zoo CTrain parking lot.
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Max Bell Centre
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CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
Breakaway roping, steer wrestling among rodeo titles won by Albertans at Stampede
Shelby Boisjoli-Meged will go down in the history books as the inaugural winner of the breakaway roping competition at the Calgary Stampede rodeo. Boisjoli-Meged was one of three Albertans who won championship titles on Showdown Sunday. "It's been a crazy 24 hours," said Boisjoli-Meged, who won in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Saturday. "I've been extremely blessed. It's unbelievable. Last night I won the NFR Open at the Pikes Peak or Bust [Rodeo] and then coming here today and winning the Calgary Stampede, this is the biggest week I've ever had in my life." As the first breakaway roper out of the gates in the final round, Boisjoli-Meged set the standard of 2.2 seconds that Texans Hali Williams (12.2) and Bradi Good (12.5) weren't able to beat as they were both penalized 10 seconds for breaking the starting barrier. "Having my family all here watching me, it's the best feeling in the world," said Boisjoli-Meged, whose husband Haven Meged of Miles City, Mont., won the tie-down roping title in Calgary last year. "He wasn't able to compete this year due to an injury, so it kind of sucked not having him [compete] here, but getting the win and having him here in the box with me was awesome." Saddle bronc rider Zeke Thurston of Big Valley and steer wrestler Scott Guenthner of Provost also finished first in their events to take home the winner's share of $50,000. Thurston added his fourth Stampede title to the three others he won consecutively from 2015 to 2017. He scored 92.5 points atop Virgil in the final round to beat fellow Albertan Dawson Hay of Wildwood for the top prize. "My hat's off to that horse," Thurston said. "That's a once in a lifetime kind of animal and to be able to get on him a couple of times like I have is very special, so you really cherish those moments and that's a very cool animal." Hay, the 2023 Stampede champion, celebrated his 28th birthday by earning $20,000 for finishing second after a 90-point performance on Yesterday's Delivery. Meanwhile, Guenthner added his second Stampede title to the one he won in 2023. "It's still surreal," he said. "I still can't believe I won the first time, let alone now." Guenthner posted a time of 3.7 seconds in the final round to beat the clocking of 4.1 that 2022 Stampede champion Will Lummus of Byhalia, Miss., set earlier. Shortly before winning the steer wresting event, Guenthner also went up to the stage in front of the fans at GMC Stadium to accept the prestigious Guy Weadick Award that is presented annually to the rodeo or chuckwagon competitor who best embodies the cowboy spirit and typifies the spirit of the Calgary Stampede. "It was a big shock the first time, and then to go up [on stage] twice, it's a big day," Guenthner said. "I mean it's a dream come true to win Calgary and then on top of it to win that award, it's such an honour." Nine competitors in each of the seven events qualified to compete on Sunday and only the top three from the first go-round advanced to the finals. The winner of each event was awarded $50,000, while the second- and third-place finishers received $20,000 and $10,000, respectively. Shad Mayfield of Clovis, N.M., won the tie-down roping title in a time of 6.8 seconds to edge out Tom Crouse of Gallatin, Mo. (7.3). "It's so special to win this rodeo especially because my dad [Sylvester] won it 40 years ago," Mayfield said. "I've come to this rodeo six times now and I've never had just the best of luck here. Just to come here this time and get the win, I'm truly blessed." Thanks to his 94-point ride atop Disco Party, Cooper Cooke of Victor, Idaho, won the bareback event. "I'm just so excited," Cooke said. "My parents got to come up to Calgary today and they got to watch me and that's probably the most meaningful win I've ever had, especially because my family was there to watch it." Weston Timberman of Columbus, Mont., finished a close second after his 92-point performance on Agent Lynx. Aboard her horse Rico, Anita Ellis of Blackfoot, Idaho, won the barrel racing championship in a time of 16.956 seconds to edge out 2022 Stampede champion Kassie Mowry of Dublin, Texas, by .189 seconds for top spot. "I think he loves the crowd and I'm going to keep running him in these big rodeos," Ellis said. "He did great." Wacey Schalla of Arapaho, Okla., was the lone bull rider to stay on for eight seconds in the final round. His score of 86 points atop Haunted Hotel earned him a $50,000 payday. "I haven't felt a feeling like that yet," said Schalla of his accomplishment. "One of the most legendary rodeos and to end up on top is a thrill." Grady Young of Leader, Sask., and Trey Benton III of Richards, Texas, earned $15,000 each even though they were bucked off their bulls. Later in the evening, chuckwagon driver Chanse Vigen of Calgary won his first Rangeland Derby title by beating defending champion Jason Glass across the finish line in a time of 1:11.24. For his efforts, Vigen won $50,000 and a new GMC truck, while Glass, of High River, Alta., took home $20,000 for his second-place showing. Jamie Laboucane of St. Walburg, Sask., had to settle for third and a cheque for $10,000.
CTV News
11 hours ago
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CTV National News: 2025 Calgary Stampede wraps with steady crowds, safety concerns
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Winnipeg Free Press
15 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Rodeo winners' circle filled with Albertans at Stampede
CALGARY – Albertans won three of seven events at the Calgary Stampede rodeo on Showdown Sunday. Breakaway roper Shelby Boisjoli-Meged of Langdon, saddle bronc rider Zeke Thurston of Big Valley, and steer wrestler Scott Guenthner of Provost all finished first in their events to take home the winner's share of $50,000. Boisjoli-Meged will go down in the Stampede history books as the inaugural winner of the breakaway roping event. As the first competitor out of the gates in the final round, she set the standard of 2.2 seconds that Texans Hali Williams (12.2) and Bradi Good (12.5) weren't able to beat as they were both penalized 10 seconds for breaking the starting barrier. Thurston added his fourth Stampede title to the three others he won consecutively from 2015 to 2017. He scored 92.5 points atop Virgil in the final round to beat fellow Albertan Dawson Hay of Wildwood for the top prize. Hay, the 2023 Stampede champion, celebrated his 28th birthday by earning $20,000 for finishing second after a 90-point performance on Yesterday's Delivery. Meanwhile, Guenthner added his second Stampede title to the one he won in 2023. Guenthner posted a time of 3.7 seconds in the final round to beat the clocking of 4.1 that 2022 Stampede champion Will Lummus of Byhalia, Miss., set earlier. Shortly before winning the steer wresting event, Guenthner also went up to the stage in front of the fans at GMC Stadium to accept the prestigious Guy Weadick Award, which is presented annually to the rodeo or chuckwagon competitor who best embodies the cowboy spirit and typifies the spirit of the Calgary Stampede. Nine competitors in each of the seven events qualified to compete on Sunday and only the top three from the first go-round advanced to the finals. The winner of each event was awarded $50,000, while the second- and third-place finishers received $20,000 and $10,000, respectively. Shad Mayfield of Clovis, N.M., won the tie-down roping title in a time of 6.8 seconds to edge out Tom Crouse of Gallatin, Mo. (7.3). Thanks to his 94-point ride atop Disco Party, Cooper Cooke of Victor, Idaho, won the bareback event. Weston Timberman of Columbus, Mont., finished a close second after his 92-point performance on Agent Lynx. Anita Ellis of Blackfoot, Idaho, won the barrel racing championship in a time of 16.956 seconds to edge out 2022 Stampede champion Kassie Mowry of Dublin, Texas, by .189 seconds for top spot. Wacey Schalla of Arapaho, Okla., was the lone bull rider to stay on for eight seconds in the final round. His score of 86 points atop Haunted Hotel earned him a $50,000 payday. Grady Young of Leader, Sask., and Trey Benton III of Richards, Texas, earned $15,000 each even though they were bucked off their bulls. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 13, 2025.
