History
Who is the main visionary & promoter who proposed the frontier-style event?
Guy Weadick
What year was the first Calgary Stampede parade?
1912
Who is the legendary voice of the Calgary Stampede's Rangeland Derby chuckwagon races?
The late Joe Carbury, famous for his signature call: "There's the horn... and they'rrrre OFF!" Since 2009, the track announcer mantle has been carried on by Les McIntyre.
How many mini donuts are purchased each year at Stampede?
More than 2 million
When was the second Stampede held?
Following 1912's successful event, it wasn't until 1919 when Weadick organized the special Victory Stampede to celebrate the end of the war. It wasn’t until 1923, when the Stampede merged with the Calgary Industrial Exhibition, that it became an annual tradition.
Who are the Big 4?
Patrick Burns, George Lane, A. E. Cross and Archibald J. McLean
How many people witnessed the first parade?
The very first Stampede Parade brought in a crowd of 75,000 people, which was more than Calgary’s total population of 60,000 residents.
What year did the Young Canadians first appear in the Grandstand Show?
They first appeared in 1968, originating as the Calgary "Kidettes"
What is the total prize money for rodeo events?
$2 million. Chuckwagon winners share $1-million purse.
Who was Guy Weadick's wife Flores LaDue famous for?
Flores LaDue was the stage name of vaudeville performer and champion trick roper Grace Bensel
How much did the Big Four put up to finance the first Stampede?
They each put up $25,000
Who led the first parade?
The event was lead by almost 2,000 Indigenous people, dressed in full regalia, from the five tribes and nations of Treaty 7 – the Blood Tribe, Piikani Nation, Siksika Nation, Stoney Tribe and the Sarcee (now named the Tsuut’ina Nation).
How many tipis are set up at Elbow River Camp
26
Flores LaDue & Guy Weadick are buried where?
High River Cemetery. Flores passed away in August 1951 while Guy passed in December 1953.
How much did the Big Four make off of the first Calgary Stampede?
While the 1912 event was a financial success that grossed $120,000 and paid off all its expenses, the "Big Four" and trick roper Guy Weadick reinvested the success into the community rather than taking personal payouts.
What year did the Calgary Stampede Royalty begin?
In 1946 when Patsy Rodgers was crowned as the first Stampede Queen to serve as an ambassador for the event. In 1965 an Indian Princess was added (in 2018 the name was changed to First Nations Princess)
What occurs before the Grandstand Show?
The pre-show action begins at 7:15 p.m. with the Rangeland Derby Chuckwagon Races, followed closely by the high-octane, bareback Indigenous Relay Races
Family Day, (usually the first Sunday of the festival) is traditionally the busiest day of the 10 day event. How many people visit on that day.
Attendance frequently exceeds 175,000 and has been as high as 201,260 visitors
What year or years saw the Calgary Stampede cancelled?
The Calgary Stampede has only been completely cancelled once, in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite severe flooding in 2013 that devastated parts of the Stampede Park just days before the event, the community rallied and the show went on as scheduled under the slogan "Hell or High Water"
Other than the cattle industry and financing the Stampede, what did the Big Four all have in common?
All served in government. Pat Burns was appointed to the Senate while the other 3 served as MLAs
Who is the 2026 Stampede Parade Marshal?
Team Canada Olympians Courtney Sarault and Mikaël Kingsbury as the 2026 Calgary Stampede Parade Marshals!
How does the Stampede Grandstand Show conclude nightly?
A "Stampede in the Sky" drone show and a massive pyrotechnic finale that illuminates the Calgary skyline.
How many employees does the Calgary Stampede have?
1,200 year-round employees and over 3,500 seasonal positions and over 3,000 volunteers