Opinion: No bull ... Calgary Stampede surprised me

View from away: First-time Stampede-goer reflects on the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth's ties to the community

I went to my first Calgary Stampede expecting machismo, animal welfare issues, and public intoxication and instead I came away with an inner glow, a cowboy hat and a deep appreciation of why it is called the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth. I arrived with my cowboy boots, a notebook, and a healthy amount of skepticism as a hosted media guest, but none of my preconceived story ideas materialized. Instead, I witnessed pride, volunteerism, excitement, joy, athleticism, inclusion, celebration, and kinsmanship.

The timing of my first visit felt especially fitting because this summer marked the launch of WestJet‘s new direct service between Sault Ste. Marie and Calgary. The twice-weekly flights make it easier than ever for Sault residents to experience one of Canada’s most famous events without a lengthy travel day or multiple connections.

The route launched June 12 and connects travellers directly to WestJet’s Calgary hub. The first clue that I had seriously underestimated Stampede came before I even reached the grounds. A friend in Calgary told me Stampede is like Christmas.

I assumed she was exaggerating until she cancelled a meeting. Not because she was sick. Not because she was busy.

Because it was Stampede. Apparently, this is perfectly normal. Parade Day is essentially a civic holiday.

Businesses host free pancake breakfasts. White cowboy hats appear everywhere. By my rough estimate, I saw two hats on the plane, five outside my hotel and approximately 37 million once I reached the Stampede grounds.

The entire city is decorated, not for tourists, but as a proud display of culture. Stampede is Christmas, in cowboy boots — only over 1.4 million people are invited to celebrate. The next surprise was discovering that the event is far more than a rodeo.

Yes, there are bull riders. Yes, there are barrel racers. Yes, there are cowboys and cowgirls doing things that make chiropractors and some animal activists nervous.

But they come together to proudly show off their skills, and no one seems to love these animals more than they do. One minute you’re watching elite athletes cling to a bucking horse for eight terrifying seconds, the next you’re eating award-winning ginger beef perogies, traditional mini-doughnuts, or Dubai pistachio coconut ice cream. Then there were the free pancakes.

It’s a tradition dating back more than a century that sees free pancake breakfasts pop up throughout Calgary during Stampede. Roughly 200,000 pancakes are served during the ten-day celebration and I managed to enjoy two different free breakfasts. My only complaint is that someone needs to launch a national investigation into the shortage of real maple syrup.

We’re Canadians. We can do better. And I’d pay an upcharge to get real maple syrup.

My biggest surprise, however, was how much of the event revolves around community. More than 2,500 volunteers help make Stampede happen. Some have volunteered for decades.

Others are second- and third-generation volunteers carrying on family traditions. One volunteer proudly celebrated 50 years of service. Again and again, people spoke about community, pride and giving back.

One organizer summed it up perfectly when he told me, “You can’t pay people to work that hard.” The powwow and visit to the teepees at Elbow River Camp were another highlight. More than 500 dancers and singers participated in this year’s powwow, creating one of the most powerful experiences on the grounds.

The colours, movement and drumbeats transformed the atmosphere. One organizer described the drumming as the heartbeat of the land. Standing there feeling the vibrations through the ground, it was hard not to understand what they meant.

I was also happily surprised by the long-standing relationship between Stampede and First Nations communities. Indigenous participation has been part of the event since the first Stampede in 1912, and today Elbow River Camp remains one of the most engaging and meaningful places for visitors to learn, ask questions and experience living cultures rather than simply read about them. Indigenous riders leading the parade, the powwow and Elbow River Camp stand as a powerful, living example of relationship-building — one that began a century before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

My absolute favourite rodeo event was the Indigenous relay. It was thrilling to watch these incredibly skilled athletes act as the ‘batons’ in a high-stakes race, switching bareback horses each lap for three rounds of pure, adrenaline-fuelled riding. Before visiting, I expected conversations about animal welfare to be defensive.

Instead, I found nuanced discussions about safety, veterinary oversight and changes implemented over the years to reduce risk. Officials outlined modifications ranging from race format changes to enhanced veterinary care and daily animal monitoring. Whether someone supports rodeo events or opposes them, it was clear the issue receives serious attention.

And again and again, competitors described their horses not as equipment, but as athletes and partners. As a first-time visitor, I expected a macho, boozy rodeo. What I found was a celebration of western heritage, Indigenous culture, volunteerism, community pride and yes, pancakes.

Go for the rodeo, the chuckwagons and relay races. Go for the music, the parades and powwow. Go for the pancakes and Alberta beef.

But most importantly, go for the people. Because long after the fireworks fade and the cowboy hats are packed away, what stays with you is the pride, joy and generosity of a city that somehow turns a rodeo into Christmas and makes everyone feel invited. Nadine Robinson’s op-ed column and travel writing for Postmedia usually appears in The Sault Star.

You can reach her at the.ink.writer@gmail.com or on Facebook and Instagram @theinkran.