Last 'yahoo' before ‘I do’? The Calgary Stampede's status as a bachelorette destination

Pairing a weekend of pre-marital debauchery with what is essentially a 10-day party makes the Calgary Stampede a prime spot for bachelor and bachelorette parties, says one planner.

Last 'yahoo' before ‘I do’? The Calgary Stampede's status as a bachelorette destination Party planning company calls it peak time for bachelor, bachelorette parties in the city The highlight of Gabrielle Guerrero’s Stampede bachelorette last year happened at the Cowboys Music Festival tent, when the group was pulled backstage behind the DJ booth during The Chainsmokers’ set. Her guests came from all over to celebrate her — Ontario and Edmonton and Vancouver, with one even flying in from France.

The Calgarian said she’d “honestly never thought” she’d plan a bachelorette at Stampede. But it ended up working on all fronts. Many of those who attended had never been to the Stampede, making it a novel experience, and it ended up being cheaper than some destinations she had costed out.

Plus, it comes with a built-in theme (cowboys) and an anything-goes atmosphere (the most fun you can have with your boots on, as they say). “It was like doing Vegas but without the Vegas chaos,” Guerrero said. Peak time for bachelorettes The pairing of a weekend of pre-marital debauchery blends well with what is essentially a 10-day party, says one planner.

“Bachelor/bachelorette parties may feel a little out of place when, let's say, they start their day and of course they're excited, they want to have a good time and the city might still be quiet,” said Jonathan Saveriano, director of Carte Blanche Parties. “That’s not the case during Stampede. Even in the morning, early afternoon, it's already feeling like a Saturday night.”

Saveriano describes his company as a “one-stop shop” for bachelor and bachelorette parties. The company launched a decade ago and now organizes parties in 11 cities, including Calgary and Banff. Typically, Carte Blanche will organize 20-30 bachelor or bachelorette parties during Stampede, Saveriano says.

Many parties will come from neighbouring Saskatchewan or smaller municipalities across Alberta. On social media, brides-to-be document flying from farther afield for the experience. In many other cities, Saveriano says bachelorette activity will peak in May, ahead of the busy summer wedding season.

Not so in Calgary, he says, where it peaks in early July — coinciding, of course, with the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth. Calgary’s an outlier in other ways. Saveriano says while other cities, particularly Vancouver, are asking for more sober-friendly activities, Calgary bachelorettes still want to imbibe.

A citywide party The Calgary Stampede doesn’t track how many bachelor or bachelorette parties might come through any given year. But festivities aren’t limited to the grounds. While Guerrero’s party spent part of the day at the Stampede, playing games and sampling food, Saveriano says many groups will want to spend their time at bars along 17th Avenue.

Maid of honour Ximena Vera planned her friend’s bachelorette in Calgary through Carte Blanche. They came from Saskatoon last weekend for the event, drawn to it by the bride’s love of country music and a past visit to the Stampede that left a lasting impression. Their weekend included everything from a visit to the rodeo, cider tasting and a yoga session.

Nashville North was a highlight, where the group purchased buck-the-line tickets to skip the queue and get to the party. But when the line to get back into Nashville North was too long on the second day, they pivoted to watch Alessia Cara at the Coca-Cola stage — fun, but with no bars and a somewhat younger crowd, perhaps not the same rowdy vibe as night one, she says. It’s a lesson to plan ahead, she says, and buy tickets in advance when possible.

Vera also recommends parties find savings where they can, since a weekend full of activities — especially at the Stampede — certainly adds up. They timed their entrance to the grounds one day to get in during free admission hours. Guerrero encourages anyone considering a Stampede bachelorette to go for it, and to fully embrace the experience — matching cowboy hats and all.

“Like you're already doing it, so go all out,” she said.