I guess this is kind of played out for someone like myself who used to live in Calgary and has pretty much attended the Stampede every year since (Minus a couple of summers when I was not able to get there on time for it, as I have been living in San Diego for the past 8 years).
Grandstand show is great family fun, kind of lame if your going with your friends. Chuckwagon races and the rodeo are applicable to those who love them or have never seen them in their lives. The Beer Gardens are okay I guess if your over 18 and like to drink beer (no thanks). Tons of rides for young and old. The Casino is fun to blow a few dollars, but what keeps me going back is definitely the food you HAVE to try the elephant ears, GIANT corndogs, mini-donuts(a must!) and the pizza... okay pretty much everything there is your greasy carnival food but definitely yummy!
I recommend playing the midway game "over/under" its addicting and involves no skill. It is a gambling game so you must be over 18 but it's what keeps me going back...
I just wish there wasn't an entrance fee... and everything wasn't so overpriced.
My condo in Calgary actually overlooks the fairgrounds and every night I was getting a firework show :-)