We’re into the final weekend of the 2024 edition of the Calgary Stampede, and with cooperative weather and eager crowds, an attendance record is within sight.
Attendance on Day 7 was 135,351, pushing the total Calgary Stampede 2024 edition over the million visitors mark this year. Right now, they’re sitting at 1,040,723. It would take three more days of 120K+ crowds to pass the all-time record.
The weather looks fine to get it done, too. Temperatures will be around 25 Celsius, with a chance of showers or thunderstorms each day. Bring an umbrella!
While you’re there, you’ve got to check out the Hand Games competition on July 12 and 13 from 3 to 9 p.m. in the Elbow River Camp. It’s a First Nations game where two teams of five hide sticks in their hands and then they have to guess where it is.
Thursday at the Cowboys Rangeland Derby Chad Fike retook the aggregate lead, but Jason Glass posted a sub 1:10 time to grab day money and to nestle himself right behind Fike going into the weekend.
Going into Day 8, Fike has about a one-second lead on both Jason Glass and Chanse Vigen. Full Rangeland Derby results can be found here.
At the Calgary Stampede rodeo, the Hay family from Wildwood, Alberta took two of the top three spots in saddle bronc, with Logan Hay riding Exciting Bubbles to an impressive 89.5 for the top spot, and Dawson Hay aboard Trump Card scored an 86.5.
Harley Cole from Okotoks, Alberta, wrestled the steer in 4.7 to get third in steer wrestling on Thursday and a cool $4,500 in day cash.
In Ladies Barrel Racing, Hailey Kinsel from Cotulla, Texas broke through the 17-second barrier, with a swift 16.94 to take top spot and the $7K day money. Full rodeo results here.
Let’s not forget the winners on the Midway on Thursday. In the Best Midway Foods competition, the Gourmet Mac from Ogopogo Mac & Cheese won the best kids choice. The Best Beverage on the Midway was won by Bestea Chill Out Café with their Hibiscus and Berry Refresher.
Friday at the Stampede Grounds
If you want the behind-the-scenes tour of GMC Stadium, where they host the rodeo and chuckwagon races, they have them daily on the half-hour (except at 1) from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Meet at the “Our Land – Our Future” statue outside the Nutrien Western Event Centre. Here’s more info.
There’s always music going on, and country star Miranda Lambert comes to Calgary, with her show at the Scotiabank Saddledome starting at 7:30 p.m. Canadian country music star Jess Moskaluke will join Lambert as a special guest.
At Nashville North, Brian Kelley goes tonight at 10 p.m.
The Coca-Cola stage has Noah Cyrus (yes, Miley Cyrus is a sibling) at 8 p.m. and Orville Peck going at 9:30 p.m.
The Big Four Roadhouse goes into the weekend with a show from Dinosaur Jr. but you can stick around for Soul Asylum at 11 p.m.
