It's Yahoo, Not Yee Haw!

Let the fun begin!  Dad & Sherry arrived in Calgary on Sunday, July 7th after a three day road trip through Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta.  Not sure there was too much to see along the way in terms of big attractions, but the weather was good and the driving was relatively easy.  It was so great to see them in person...Skype just isn't the same.  :)

We laid low on Monday, especially since the temps cooled off and the rains came.  But, Tuesday morning was warm and sunny, and we were excited to suit up in our western wear and head to the Calgary Stampede!  We had tickets for the Rodeo at 1 p.m., so we went a bit early to look around, enjoy the midway, and eat lunch.  My first impression was that it was like a big state fair with a healthy dose of cowboy. Dad, the kids, and I rode the ferris wheel, and then Ben joined Grandma and Sherry on the cable cars.  We ate a quick lunch, then headed to the Rodeo.

This might be a good time for a quick background on the Calgary Stampede.  It is an annual ten-day rodeo and festival held in early July which bills itself as "The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth".  Each year, it attracts over one million visitors for the rodeos, parade, midway, concerts, agricultural competitions, chuckwagon racing, and First Nations exhibitions.  The event's roots are traced back to 1886, although the first official Stampede rodeo and festival was not until 1912.  The Stampede is one of Canada's largest festivals and the major tourist attraction for Calgary.

Back to the Rodeo...the heart of the Calgary Stampede!  It is probably the most famous event of its kind in the world with some pretty generous prizes for the winners...loads of cash.  Having never been to a rodeo before, I didn't really know what to expect.  There are 6 major disciplines...bull riding, steer wrestling, tie down roping, barrel racing, saddle bronc, and bareback riding.  It was amazing to watch the cowboys ride the bulls and try to stay on.  We did see one man get injured; a reminder that this is a serious sport.  The women compete in the barrel racing, racing their horses around the barrels and then sprinting for the finish.  Ben and I weren't fond of the tie down roping...didn't like watching the poor calf get roped and then thrown to the ground.  Although, there were many announcements about how all of these animals were the true "athletes" of the day and how they are respected and treated well.  Everyone got a good chuckle when the junior cowboys came out for wild pony racing, which was basically the pony dragging these poor kiddos around the arena.  Crazy.  All around, it was a great day...great weather, great rodeo, great time with family.  Can't wait to come back on Thursday for more!

Wednesday was another day to relax and just enjoy time at home together.  There was even an Uno Tournament complete with trophies!  :)

Thursday was Stampede day again, but this time in the evening for the Rangeland Derby (aka chuckwagon races) and the Grandstand Show.  When we got there, we went straight for the t-shirts with "Come Hell or High Water".  I wanted to get Greg a little something since he wasn't able to join in the fun this year.  We walked around a few of the exhibition halls, and Ben talked me into riding the Mouse Trap roller coaster and Niagara Falls water ride.  Oh my!

As we sat down for the races, we got to see Grandma's favorite...the Clydesdale horses paraded around the track.  And then, "they're off"!  The Rangeland Derby consists of 36 teams competing for, you guessed it, loads of cash.  There is a team of horses pulling a wagon with driver around the track competing for first place.  There were nine heats the night we were there, and it was so exciting!  I think the kids enjoyed this more than the rodeo...each heat you get to pick a new team that you think will win!

After the racing, there is a short break while they wheel in the stage for the Grandstand Show.  And wow, what a show!  Almost two hours of dancing, singing, Chinese acrobats, ballet, opera, and more.  So much variety, there is definitely something to please everyone.  We even got to rock out with KISS!  :)  There was a very touching tribute regarding the flooding...saluting those who were affected and those who stepped up to help.  And, of course, a big fireworks finale at the end.  It was nearly midnight, and Ben and Nathalie (and Great Grandma) were all going strong.  Absolutely fantastic!

You can't end a day at the fair without a funnel cake.  :)  I'm not sure I win the "smartest mom" award for encouraging fat and sugar at midnight, but it sure was worth it to see the smile on Ben's face.  Grandma Susie would have been mighty proud...