The Calgary Stampede kicked off Friday on a beautiful summer day in the city.
After a spectacular parade morning, visitors went down to the Stampede grounds in record-breaking numbers Friday.
According to the Calgary Stampede, 130,177 people went through the gates on Friday, which was a new daily record.
It was also Day 1 of the Calgary Stampede rodeo (photos below) (results here) and the Cowboys Rangeland Derby (results here).
All in all, it was a big return for the Together Again version of the Calgary Stampede – the first full-scale event since before the pandemic.
Rodeo Day 1
Former World Champion Clayton Biglow (Clements, CA) paired up with Yippy Kibitz for a 90.5 point trip — a full 3 points ahead of second place finisher Tim O’Connell. SEAN LIBIN FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARY 
Emily Beisel (Weatherford, OK) returned to the Calgary Stampede and turned the barrels in just 17.62 seconds as she hopes to add to her 2017 Calgary Stampede championship win. — SEAN LIBIN FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARY 
Louisiana Tie Down Roper Zach Jongbloed took home the honours on day one action at the Calgary Stampede Rodeo turning in a blistering time of 7.2 seconds. SEAN LIBIN FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARY 
Three time Calgary Stampede Saddle Bronc champion Zeke Thurston is a local fan favorite. Thurston, who makes his home in Big Valley, AB hopped aboard Baby Kibitz and scored an impressive 89.5. SEAN LIBIN FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARY 
Montana bulldogger Ty Erickson wasted little time getting his Wranglers dirty as he wrestled his steer to the ground in 4 seconds flat and took home the top spot. SEAN LIBIN FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARY 
Bull rider Josh Frost (Randlett, UT) climbed aboard a bull named Big Bird in the opening action of the Calgary Stampede. Frost scored 88 points to give him a solid lead in Pool A. SEAN LIBIN FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARY
