Stampede is over
Everybody shed a tear and give your liver a break. The greatest outdoor show on earth has ended for another year.
While we didn’t set another record year for attendance, more than 1.2 million people walked through the gates and I’m sure there aren’t many people out there who hit the grounds and didn’t have a good time.
For me this year’s stampede brought me a couple of firsts. It’s the first year I got to do the Junior Reporter for BMO Kids Day, and it’s the first year I was able to check out the Chuckwagon Races.
The Junior Reporter event was a blast…a long day but a blast none the less. Charlotte and John were the twelve year olds that followed me around the Stampede all day and got to do my job.
We started off at the kid’s stampede breakfast at the Grandstand, then it was off to some interviews from other media stations, then for a bite to eat, and finally a full blown rodeo experience with a behind the scenes tour.
The J.R.’s were great and we all had a blast walking around the grounds interviewing patrons, police and yes even a couple of cowboys.
Next up to discuss…the Chucks. It was my third stampede and only the first time I was able to catch the Rangeland Derby. I must admit something though, and it could upset some of you, I was kind of let down.
Since coming to the city all I’ve heard about is the Chuckwagon races. When I finally got to see them I didn’t think it was a better event than the rodeo at all. Don’t get me wrong, I had a blast and loved being right at the fence watching the mud fly, but it just wan’t all it was cracked up to be.
I guess I let the hype build up my expectations and that’s usually never a good thing. Just to be clear (so I don’t get a zillion angry e-mails) I will go to the Chucks again, and I had a blast this time around. My point is that people made it out to be more than it is and although a good time, I’d choose the rodeo if I could only make it to one event.
None-the-less I am sad to see the Stampede go and I’ll be waiting for the next 11 months and whatever days until the greatest outdoor show on earth starts up again.