The 2008 Calgary Stampede kicks off with its two-hour-long annual parade (the largest western themed one in the world), Friday at 8:55 a.m. on July 4 for approximately 350,000 spectators in the downtown core.

Construction of the new EnCana tower along 6 Avenue S.W. (traditionally the starting point of the parade) is being watched closely by the volunteer parade committee to implement a last minute detour if needed. “The parade committee continues to meet with the city,” says Doug Fraser, Stampede media relations manager, adding organizers are constantly on top of things, and both EnCana and the parade committee are confident the route will not require a detour.

Those who have frequented the Stampede’s ten-day event may wonder, what can possibly be new for an annual event that has been running since 1912? Fraser says this year’s theme is “Come down, get away”—citing the Stampede organization’s solution to the rising cost of gas and travel in general for families. Instead of driving hundreds of kilometres away and spending a lot of money, the Stampede can be a ten-day vacation for families whose home base is in and around Calgary, says Fraser. “We want families to feel free to come down and spend time together for the mere cost of admission.” Adult admission is $13; senior and children’s admission is $7; children under six years old are free—all the same as last year. Keeping with the family-oriented theme “Family Fun Hours” will be on weekdays between 11 a.m. through 1 p.m. “They’re truly value hours for the family.”
Donning cowboy hats, many plan their Stampede visit around the professional entertainment schedule. Each year offers a wealth of musical entertainment (sometimes free with gate admission) on different stages such as, Nashville North, the Coca-Cola stage and the Saddledome. This year will not disappoint with acts including Aaron Lines, Charlie Major, illScarlett, Natasha Bedingfield, Kid Rock, James Taylor, Lifehouse, the Judds and many more. More family-oriented performances including The Heebee-Jeebees, Toopy and Bino, and a host of comedians and magicians, are among talent slated to appear most frequently on the Enbridge or Buckaroos stages, with a few shows on the Coca-Cola stage. An all-ages show this year Fraser makes special note of is, “Barrage, a world-renowned dancing, fiddling and drum troupe.”

Do you have some lucky numbers you’re dying to test out, or, some pocket change weighing you down? A fresh and new Stampede Casino will be available, just in time, in which Stampede patrons can to try out their luck, since the old facility in the Big Four Building was sold to Calgary West Hospitality Inc. and closed its doors on June 19 with the opening of the new one.  “The Stampede has gotten out of the casino business, for all intents and purposes,” says Fraser. “It will still be called Stampede Casino, but not run by the Stampede.” The new 100,000-square-foot casino will be a year-round destination at the entrance to Stampede Park, featuring three restaurants, two lounges, a 400-seat theatre and 300 underground parking stalls.

If Lady Luck is still on your side, be sure to buy some dream home tickets because, as always, a luxury home will be on the midway grounds to admire, scrutinize and gather design ideas from. This year’s Homes by Avi Rotary Dream Home is valued at $841,230 for its 2,369-square-foot, two-storey custom creation, containing three bedrooms and a two-sided fireplace as the main floor’s focus. Eventually this home will venture off the Stampede grounds to a permanent location on a corner lot in Panorama Hills. The winner will be announced around midnight on July 13, giving visitors the full ten days to buy tickets.

And, what would the Stampede be without real cowboys, snorting bulls and chuckwagons? As with many sports, Stampede rodeo events are getting faster, more competitive and dangerous, instigating the first Calgary Stampede Chuckwagon Safety Commission to be appointed this year. Overall safety of chuckwagon racing is the commission’s broad focus, including increased penalties for wagon interference, process reviews of Derby judge selection and training, and unifying a set of chuckwagon racing rules. The commission also deals with appeals chuckwagon drivers may have regarding penalties placed against them.

The hope is for the initiative to reduce the chances of another tragic event like last year’s death of three horses during a chuckwagon race, which Fraser says was dealt with immediately and with absolute seriousness by Stampede organizers.

An increase of rodeo prize money from last year’s $1.75 million to $1.83 million is up for grabs for 20 of the world’s highest-rated competitors in each of the rodeo’s six major events: saddlebronc, bareback, bull riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling and ladies barrel racing. Every day will feature a new rodeo, offering $15,000 to each event winner and wrapping up the day with the traditional Grandstand Show featuring the Young Canadians and other guests. “I can guarantee the Grandstand Show will be as exciting and colourful as ever,” says Fraser. “Including the fireworks.”

Despite its success the Tough Enough to Wear Pink breast cancer research campaign of 2007 will not make a comeback this year, but many other events and lotteries are on the roster. The 2008 Kinsmen Wheels-Truck and Fifth Wheel, Lions Lucky Loot and Early Bird draw are a few of this year’s lotteries while the opportunity to see Superdogs, amazing sandcastles, western art, extreme BMX and skateboarding, model searches and the numerous obscure items for sale, should keep every kind of Stampede visitor entertained somehow.

This year, the Stampede runs from July 4 through July 13. Patrons are encouraged to use what’s perhaps the easiest mode of transportation, the C-Train, stopping at Erlton/Stampede station and/or Victoria Park/Stampede station for literally immediate grounds access. The light-rail transit even extends its service to 24 hours during Stampede.

If you absolutely cannot wait to try on your cowboy boots and have the Zipper ride challenge your stomach contents, the well-attended “Sneak–a–Peak” is set for July 3, allowing eager visitors a partial day’s preview of the park with reduced-admission costs. Go online to http://cs.calgarystampede.com for more information or to learn about special days, event updates and deals.