Day 10 for the fellas was spent in Calgary enjoying a little down time with their wives. It was going to be the first day that the group would head over to the Stampede Park grounds. There is so much to see and do, everyone scattered to find what interested them the most.
Dark skies threatened a rainy day. Donning their finest cowboy duds, along with rain gear, they were off.
David and Lori pose at the entrance of the Calgary Stampede Park.
Bonnie and Ron were right behind them!
Jill and Pam shopping at one of the many shops set up on the grounds.
The Stampede Park is a huge facility. More like state fairgrounds as we know them. The buildings in the park seem fairly new. There are lots of fair food vendors, agricultural exhibits, animal exhibits and activities for children. Sheep shearing contests, vet science exhibits, draft horse pens, pedal tractor pulls for kids, the list goes on and on. The daily schedule of things to do begins at 8:00 and ends late into the evening.
Everyone eventually met at the Grandstands at 1:15 p.m., the big attraction for our group today was the rodeo.
Great seats for the rodeo events.
David and Lori
Before the rodeo began the crowd was entertained by free style riders.
These guys did so many aerial stunts it would be impossible to post all of the images.
There really is something for everyone at the Calgary Stampede.
Rodeo Cowboys fired up the crowd as they harnessed up, and slowly made their way to the stage below.
The rodeo opened with the flag girls speeding around the arena.
This world class band, performed in sharp precision.
Jill and Ron are enjoying the rodeo events.
A bevy of stampede queens, each representing their local rodeo or stampede, were introduced.
A pair of Indian Hoop Dancers colorfully, demonstrated their art.
While bulls or broncs loaded into chutes, flag riders and rodeo bullfighters (clowns) performed.
Light rain showers came and went along with the sunshine. When the rodeo was over everyone scurried for transportation back to the hotel. Some hit a local watering hole while others headed back to the hotel for an adult beverage.
A total of 14 people met for dinner at The Vintage Steakhouse in downtown Calgary. Are you wondering where the extra two came from? Mike and Lisa, friends from Florida, were in the same hotel to attend the Stampede too. What a small world we live in.
Seeing these pictures reminded me of the heart attack I almost had buying the tickets for the stampede! I had completely forgotten about having to help dad with that. The seats look great!
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