Stampede 2016

Well, another year has come and gone and in 12 hours the 2016 version of the greatest outdoor show on earth begins. Yep, it’s Stampede time once again. For nine or ten days Calgary will celebrate all things western. There will be eating, drinking, Chuckwagon racing, bull riding, bronc busting, candy floss eating, midway riding, pancake eating, cowboy hat and boot wearing and more country music played than anyone should ever hear.

Should be fun!

I am not as into the experience as a lot of people are, but I encourage them to have fun. I have done pretty much all of that stuff over the years and have no real desire to do it over again. I know that Louise would like to go and watch the Chuckwagon races, but I am content to watch them on TV. The rodeo part is fun, but I have trouble understanding why anyone in their right mind would sit astride a bull to see how long it takes before they are thrown off and very probably trampled. Each to his/her own I guess.

It is good for the city financially and to tell the truth, the population really needs something that is fun and will let them forget their troubles for a while. The economy has taken an awful hit for the past year or so and a lot of people don’t have a lot to be happy about. Even the parties that are the norm have been scaled back or even cancelled in some cases. You can’t spend a lot on a party when you have laid off a large portion of your work force. Things will get better.

The parade is starting around 9:00 AM and I plan on getting to my favourite place to watch a little early. Not too early, because I can always pause the show while I get a coffee or need to use the bathroom. The weather isn’t a concern because it rarely rains in the livingroom. It should be fun this year because Louise can watch with me from the other end of the couch.