Friday, July 10, brought our first full day of rodeo coverage at the Calgary Stampede, along with a classic pancake breakfast, high-energy chuckwagon racing, live music, and a fiery finish to the night.
The Calgary Stampede is known as “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth,” and by Day 8, it was easy to see why. Every day brings something different, from the Midway and live music to rodeo competitions and the legendary Rangeland Derby. Our Friday, July 10, began with one of the city’s most beloved Stampede traditions before turning into a full day of Western sports and entertainment.
Starting the Day with Pancakes
We began the morning with a pancake breakfast at Stephen Avenue and the Fluor Rope Square festivities, joining one of the traditions most closely associated with the Calgary Stampede.
Pancake breakfasts have been part of the Stampede experience for more than 100 years. The tradition began in the early days of the event when chuckwagon drivers and other Stampede participants would serve pancakes to visitors as a way to welcome them to Calgary. Over the years, the simple gatherings grew into massive community celebrations held throughout the city.
Today, pancake breakfasts can be found throughout Calgary during Stampede week, with businesses, community groups, and organizations serving free pancakes and breakfast to thousands of visitors. The tradition is a perfect reflection of the Stampede’s welcoming spirit: come hungry, grab a plate, and enjoy a meal with friends and strangers alike.
Our First Full Day of Rodeo Coverage
After breakfast, we headed into the Stampede grounds for our first full day covering the afternoon rodeo.
The Calgary Stampede rodeo brings together some of the best competitors in the world, with 30 of the highest-ranked athletes qualifying to compete in each of the major events. The competition includes Bareback Riding, Barrel Racing, Junior Steer Riding, Tie-Down Roping, Steer Wrestling, Saddle Bronc Riding, Breakaway Roping, and Bull Riding.
Ladies Breakaway Roping became a new addition to the Stampede rodeo lineup in 2025, adding another exciting event to the competition.
The Physical Demands of Bareback Riding
One of the most physically demanding events of the afternoon was bareback riding. The cowboy rides without a traditional saddle, holding onto a leather rigging designed with a custom-fitted handhold. Riders are judged on both their control throughout the ride and their leg movement, with scores potentially reaching 100 points. The event requires extraordinary strength, balance, and athleticism as the horse bucks and twists beneath the rider.
Bull Riding Brings the Afternoon to a Close
As always, bull riding served as the final major event of the afternoon rodeo. Riders must remain on the bull for eight seconds to complete a qualified ride. If they are thrown off before the eight-second mark, they are disqualified. Those eight seconds may sound short, but they require exceptional balance, tremendous upper-body strength, and powerful legs. The unpredictability of the bulls makes every ride a thrilling spectacle, and the crowd erupts every time a rider manages to stay aboard.
More Chuckwagon Racing
After the afternoon rodeo, we stayed at the stadium for several more rounds of the Rangeland Derby chuckwagon races. The races have been a Stampede tradition since 1923, when founder Guy Weadick brought working ranchers together to compete with authentic chuckwagons.
Watching the drivers and their teams battle for the fastest times is one of the most exciting parts of the Stampede experience. Each run is over in a matter of seconds, but the speed and precision of the horses, wagons, drivers, and outriders make every race feel like a major event.
Alli Walker Brings Electric Bagpipes to Nashville North
After the races, we headed back to Nashville North to see Alli Walker perform for the first time. Walker immediately stood out when she took the stage wearing cow-print pants and a black blouse. Moving energetically across the stage, she combined modern country and pop influences with one of her most distinctive musical trademarks—her electric bagpipes.
The unexpected instrument has become part of Walker’s signature sound and added a unique twist to her performance. Her high-energy set kept the Nashville North crowd engaged and proved that the Calgary Stampede is always a great place to discover artists who bring something different to the stage.
Fire and Fireworks End the Night
We closed out the evening with the Monster Energy fire show, catching the final portion of the performance as flames lit up the night. The night ended with fireworks over the Stampede grounds, providing the perfect finale to another packed day.
From a traditional pancake breakfast and world-class rodeo to chuckwagon racing, electric bagpipes, fire performers, and fireworks, Day 8 delivered everything we have come to expect from the Calgary Stampede—and then added a few surprises of its own.
Where to Stay During the Calgary Stampede
For a convenient and historic place to stay during the Calgary Stampede, the Fairmont Palliser is an excellent choice. Located in the heart of downtown Calgary, this iconic hotel has welcomed guests since 1914 and remains one of the city’s most celebrated landmarks. Its location is especially convenient during Stampede week, sitting just one block from Stephen Avenue and the morning pancake breakfast festivities, while the Stampede grounds are only a few miles away—a quick drive of approximately 15 minutes. After a long day of rodeo events, chuckwagon races, live music and exploring the grounds, returning to the elegant Fairmont Palliser offers a comfortable retreat in the center of the city.