The Calgary Stampede Review

Grandfather Jim raised horses for it many years ago

Lots to see and do and its something you will remember. From the food to the rides to the rodeo there is something for everyone, but expect to pay A LOT!

Same stuff every year at a slowly increasing rate, not worth going if you've been at least once in the last 20 years.

Went for the Monster Jam 2017. Lots in attendance surprised more was not open within the Grandstand; concession. Only found 1 water fountain per level next to the washrooms. Staff very helpful and friendly.

Monster Trucks!! Awesome show and all of the staff was most accommodating. Best Date Night Ever!!!!

Good entertainment, very expensive to buy anything there, and depending on the day of the week it could be very crowded and busy

I've been at the grounds for a number of occasions but they always put on a good show.

Lots of fake farmers and alot of real ones. Very busy expensive rides. Definitely worth checking out though.

Big fun! Rides and carnival atmosphere.... GREAT carny foods!

Awesome food and entertainment! They grandstand show was phenomenal!

There isn't much to do that isn't a ride. A lot of the food stands are garbage but some are okay.

Maybe worth going once just for the novelty, but it's really not that interesting, especially if you aren't into the western stuff.

The best outdoor show ever! There is so much entertainment and shows wherever you go! The food choices are the best out there! An outdoor show can't get any better!

Greatest outdoor show!

The variety of things you can do, and all the food you can eat. There is something for everyone.

Rodeo - you can get standing room tickets for $18, but can only purchase on the grounds. For standing room, try to avoid a hot day as there is no shade at all down there. You can get tickets in the covered area (price ranges). We got our tickets for around $70.

Nashville North - Try to go just before the rodeo gets out, to avoid the rush and lineup. Although the lineups are not as bad as they used to be. The space is quite large now, with a couple of food trucks and ATCO bathrooms. You can get spicy cheesy fries, which are quite good after a few drinks.

Food I tried this year:
Colossal onion - it s pretty tasty, but actually quite large, and probably meant to be shared between 4+ people. Definitely worth trying once.

Mini donuts - a classic! Got them from those little donuts truck, and found they were not as fluffy as some other places. Would get them somewhere else.

Fried Oreo - very good, would get them again!

Poutine - The poutine truck by the BBQ row is the best. The fries are thick, the cheese is melty, and the gravy is good!

I mainly just go for the food and exhibits and the odd chance of a music artist worthy. If you do the rides, bite the bullet and just get the wrist band.

Great for conferences and events. Numerous large facilities to host speakers, sporting events, etc. Huge parking lot that can be used to setup tents, etc. The Calgary Stampede rodeo and festival, an annual celebration, draws festival crows and the best rodeo athletes from around the world.

Faboulas security staff
Great service

It's just not my thing, I am aware of the benefits it brings to the city and genuinely wish it continues to prosper.
However the combination of; lack of parking spots, the long wait lines, the amount of congestion and finally the value for money it offers just made it not worth it for me.
Personally I wouldn't want to go back but as a family my voice counts as one vote only, so perhaps I will give it another try in the upcoming years.

Good atmosphere .. To see. Be careful you have to pay the entrance of the event which includes a carnival, and the entrance of the rodeo in the afternoon

It really is the greatest show on Earth. Spent two days there checking out everything and in the grandstands as well watching all the horses in the Bulls and the Chuck Wagons just had a awesome awesome time

Stampede is the biggest and best summer party in Canada. Great free music, rodeo and shows. Rides for the kids and crazy good food

Experience Calgary hospitality, heritage and culture

Simply amazing,variety of food, also enjoyable to children, different shows,knowledge also.

Costs way to much just to get in so you can spend $8.00 for a beer and $15.00 for a burger.

Had a great time & my favourite thing I ate all day was the lobster & truffle dumplings

An eclectic collection of post modern masculinity shrouded in Tom Foolery

Fun overpriced tho but good for bringing friends and getting drunk needs to be longer the fireworks are great as well in the winter just the Calgary flames parking lot

Fabulous fair. Lots of fun for all kids and adults.

First time flying out to Calgargy and the entire week of the stampede it rained

There is not a thing I could complain about at the stampede so much fun!!!!

Always great fun for any event, pricing at concession is ridiculous as always so wat before you go.

Family day with an extended entry hour was very convenient this year.

The chuckwagon races were thrilling and the show afterwards was great.

Stampede is always a lot of fun, enjoy the wide variety of activities, sights & sounds. There's always a lot to do and see each time! On the last night of 2017 there was an awesome Showband performance on the steps of the Saddledome that went on for over an hour! I was also there on Thursday night (a beautiful, hot day!) and was pleased to find out about the $5 admission which I got to take part in

One bug in the system occurred in 2016. I have been going every year since 2011 & for the most part have been having good experiences. On the last Sunday I went out of the park to put some stuff in my car and returned about 45 min later. The gate supervisor claimed that the stamp on the back of my hand was invalid, even though they had just given it to me an hour later. On the principle of the thing I decided to go in anyways, since I should not have to pay twice for the same day. He told me we coulod continue talking about it, but had to do so from outside the park. I refused and so then he called in two police officers. They were very reasonable to talk to, although one of them wanted to kick me out regardless of whether I was right. I had entered the park initially with a ticket for the Grandstand show and so scanning this they could see it had been used already, but the police decided that if my ticket was still valid at the gate of the Grandstand then they would let me in. I agreed and so we walked over there, where the other officer scanned my ticket and found it to be valid. I was able to watch the show and enjoyed it, but was a little shook up by the experience of having to go through this to receive what I had paid for. There was either disorganization & incompetence or outright dishonesty at the gate, as they had clearly given me a stamp but then claimed it was not the symbol for that day. Whatever it was it shouldn't have happened and was not my fault, but until the cops showed up they were treating me like I was the bad guy trying to get in with a fraudulent stamp.

So I'm hoping that Stampede as an organization can learn from this and do more to treat their patrons better. Plus this is supposed to be about hospitality, right?

Awesome show and party. The place to be in Alberta in July.

Great time with the kids. Prices are astronomical though and the place gets ridiculously dirty. Comes with the event though so if you can look past then you and the family will have a great time

Great city, great party. The greatest outdoor show on earth! First time there for the Stampede, very impressed. Lots of fun!

One of the most beautiful fairs of all, I understand what is the reason for its worldwide fame, the tractions, the mechanical games, the varied and special food and the unique events, the Cowboys competitions and the rodeo of the Calgary stampeede are unique in the world.

Love the stampede but was upset when the showdogs were no longer a part of it.

Always good, fun and lots of different food. Good that they consider the economy is in a tough time and drop the entrance fee several time frame so people still can get in and enjoy the earth greater exhibition and show.

Been in Calgary over 20 yrs and go every year!...the Stampede is NOT what it used to be:(
Really really overpriced food (although unique twists), less shows and the shows they do have are a lot shorter...the "Monster" drink sponsored motocross is mostly talking...and the dogs show is a glimmer of fun that it used to be when it was Super dogs.
Please address the super tiny font on the daily programs....or pass out magnifying glasses!....also, no more descriptions of the guests shows???... and add free watering stations to your legend!
It would be nice to give locals a discount by showing their I.D....I think we spend a lot here every year...I know I drop a couple hundred $ each time!!!
It would be a great service to provide FREE charging stations for cell. Phones (# Calgary Stampede....right!?!)
Also think about having the City of Calgary provide drinking water filling stations...because not everyone has endless pockets filled with money...and it is a family event!
Games/rides are always fun...although expensive.
I will give a huge shout out to the free concerts though!!...the Coke-Cola stage especially!.. seen many of our fantastic Canadian Bands here!

It was a dream come true for me to be at the Calgary Stampede. This is a definite go to spot for our family!!!