I love the stampede. A ten day city wide costume party and everyone in the world is invited :)
I always make a point to get down to the grounds a couple of times each year. To see the rodeo where I cheer the loudest for the calf that can get away and watch in awe as cowboys wearing only the safety of chaps and a hat try for 8 seconds on a bucking horse.
There is something special about the tradition of freshly squeezed lemonade paired with one of the many unusual dishes served to the masses every year -- from cockroach pizza to deep fried anything while walking through the midway.
The free events around town during this week are awesome too! From square dancing on Stephen Ave to flapjacks served in every quadrant free for the masses.
Finally, lets not forget the many marching bands that treat us all to a show -- my favorite being that Band of Outriders. They really help me live out my wish that I could have been a band kid too.
Born and raised Calgarian, I can't remember a single year that the Stampede didn't find its way into my July -- even the summer I was in Latvia, I streamed the parade to be part of it all!