Saddle up. Calgary Stampede politics are back.

A full week of free pancakes and politicians dressed up like cowboys.

The cover of the 1974 Calgary Exhibition and Stampede annual report (source: Glenbow Museum)

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.