From Jerry Moras, Calgary
Daijiworld Media Network - Canada (MR)

Calgary, Jul 5: The Calgary Stampede, the greatest outdoor show on earth has begun on July 4 at the Stampede Park, Calgary, Alberta and will continue until July 13.

The Stampede  kicked off with the stampede on the first friday morning of the month as per the traditions.  The parade was the highlight of the Stampede.  This year it attracted  about 350,000 people. The parade featured 170 entries, including floats, powerful marching bands, horse drawn carriages, western riders and more than 800 horses.

The Calgary Stampede is one of the biggest celebrations of the cowboy's way of life and attracts well over one million visitors each year. Over 10 days, visitors from around the world flock to this spectacular event which blends Canadian heritage with dynamic, contemporary entertainment.

It includes a traditional cowboy rodeo with saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, bull riding, barrel riding, tie-down roping and steer wrestling. The event is one of the most prestigious in the world and attracts top class competitors – all attempting to claim the US$1 million prize money. In the evening, there is chuckwagon racing, an event that dates back to the cowboy days of old. Each night culminates with a spectacular fireworks display.

The Calgary Stampede has a rich history. With origins as an 1886 Agricultural Fair of the world-famous attraction that it is today, the Calgary Stampede's past contains many colorful characters and significant milestones. The Calgary city attracts normally of 1.2 million people for this event. 

Each year, millions of visitors from around the world come to Calgary, Alberta, Canada to partake in the annual event, the Calgary Stampede and Exhibition. As Calgary's most popular tourist attraction, 'the greatest outdoor show on earth' features a real rodeo, a midway (amusement park), concerts, chuckwagon races and more. The city of Calgary is transformed for 10 days into town celebrating the cowboy culture.