Dust off your cowboy boots and hat. It’s that time of year again. It’s the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth. It’s the Calgary Stampede.
I’ve been to the Stampede a handful of times and as a long-time Edmontonian I’ve always felt like an outsider to the event. The spectacle of urbanites playing cowboy for a week every summer always felt a little silly, but it also symbolized something my city didn’t have - a somewhat uniting celebration week. Edmonton has a lot of great festivals, but nothing that rivals the scope of the Stampede.
The Stampede is a must attend event for politicians of all stripes. Aside from the actual rodeo (the Chuckwagon races are a must see), the free pancake breakfast and BBQ circuit is unparalleled and a huge opportunity for local, provincial and federal politicians to connect with Calgarians. Proper attire is key, as is the ability to wear it properly.
