The first full Calgary Stampede since the pandemic officially kicks off Friday and many in the downtown area are feeling the buzz.
“All of Calgary gets excited about it and everyone draws on the windows of their businesses and everyone can’t wait to go there,” says international student Lily Tuigunova.
Tuigunova is originally from Kyrgyzstan and is now in Calgary for school. She says that she has never been to Stampede, but she is excited to go this year.
“I actually want to see the rodeo show,” she says. “It’s fun. It’s the biggest in the world, so it’s exciting to see.”
Read more:
‘It’s been crazy’: People prepare for this year’s Calgary Stampede
Calgary’s biggest summer event is known to attract visitors from all over the world. After two years of restrictions and limitations, Calgary Tourism officials hope that visitor numbers will return to the same as before the pandemic.
“In some ways, the city really wants this and this is really important to the city,” says Tourism Calgary senior vice president of marketing Jeff Hessel.
“Our tourism industry has been greatly affected by the pandemic. This is a great opportunity to get back to work.”
While Stampede hasn’t officially started yet, Hessel says the season can already be said to be here.
“The buzz of the stampede is palpable here in Calgary. So exciting that we have a stampede coming back in full force this year,” says Hessel.
“You can really see around the city. You see all the tents going up all over town with other events going on. A lot of invitations and a lot of publicity for tons of music events and all the artists that come to town it’s really going to be a really vibrant time of 10 days again.”
One of the newest attractions at this year’s Stampede will be the Alberta Boot, which has just moved into its new location on 10 Avenue on the south end of town.
Read more:
Feds announce nearly $12 million in funding to support 2022 Calgary Stampede
The local company officially returned to the Beltline on Tuesday with a new hybrid customer experience center, which CEO Eytan Broder says will give guests a look at the boot-making process while also getting a lesson in heritage and heritage. western culture.
“What better way than to come and see us make old school cowboy boots and western rope boots using Goodyear welding?” Broder says.
“They can put on an apron, walk around the factory, even sit down and stamp leather with us, etc., so it’s going to be a really interesting tour.”
Tours at the Alberta Boot Factory will be free to guests during Stampede.
© 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.