Toronto 
Credit: Calgary Stampede
The Calgary Stampede board has announced that it is cancelling 2020 edition of The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, the Calgary Stampede. It was to run this year from July 3 to July 12.
Calgary Stampede has taken place every year since 1923. Calgary has celebrated Stampede through the Great Depression, World War II and the 2013 floods. Holding Calgary Stampede during the 2013 floods was seen as a symbol of Calgary’s resilience.
“I remember standing at this podium seven years ago and talking about how we only had two weeks — come hell or high water the Calgary Stampede would go on,” said Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi.
“This is different. This pandemic, this virus, this response is something that is impacting every single one of us in the world.
According to the Canadian Press, officials were still hoping to pull off the event, despite laying off 80 per cent of its staff in mid-March. A team was working on the planning until the last minute.
The Stampede is a not-for-profit organization and many Calgary and Alberta businesses depend on Calgary Stampede. It is a major driver for the Calgary economy and the annual economic impact of Stampede activities in the Calgary community in 2019 was estimated to be a staggering $540 million.
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The show attracts more than 100,000 people a day over its 10-day run, which includes a parade, a fair, a midway, a nightly rodeo and chuckwagon races. It is also one of the richest rodeos in the world, offering $2 million in prize money.
Annually, the Stampede hosts more than 1,200 world-class business, tourism, sporting, hospitality and community events.
2020 Calgary Stampede Poster created by 17 year-old Ariel Clipperton. Credit: Calgary Stampede
THE STATEMENT FROM CALGARY STAMPEDE BOARD
On account of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chief Medical Officer of Health of Alberta has banned all gatherings of more than 15 people for an indefinite period of time and the City of Calgary has declared a state of local emergency. These steps, as well as our continuing concern for the health and well-being of our community, means we are unable to host the 2020 edition of the Calgary Stampede.
“This is an extremely difficult announcement to share, but it is the right thing to do,” says Dana Peers, Calgary Stampede President & Chairman of Board. ”As a community celebration, the cancellation of our annual event comes with our community and public health and safety front of mind.”
“This is hard, but we need to make these types of decisions right now in order to stay safe and move forward,” says Tom Sampson, Chief, Calgary Emergency Management Agency. “It’s not what anyone wants to see happen but it’s pretty much mandatory at this time, and we applaud the Stampede for putting the safety of all Calgarians and their guests first.”
The Calgary Stampede has been around for 108 years, through two World Wars, the Great Depression and a devastating flood. But the loss of this year’s Stampede is bigger than our not-for-profit organization. Many local businesses are part of the greater Stampede, from the restaurants, bars and hotels, to the retailers, ride share and taxi drivers who support western culture throughout our city. We know the financial impact this will have on them.
“The Stampede is a critical part of who we are as Calgarians. It’s almost impossible to imagine a summer without it. But these are extraordinary times, and the Stampede has done what they always do: put the community first,” said Mayor Naheed Nenshi. “For me, riding a horse at the front of the parade is a moment, even with all the people and all the noise, for some introspection on who we are as a community. I’m sad to not be at my tenth parade this year. But we’ll dust ourselves off and come back even better. Together.”
With the best interests of the community in mind, the organization’s focus will now shift to fall, winter and spring events at Stampede Park as well as planning for the 2021 Stampede. When it’s appropriate, we will gather together to celebrate. We are also looking for new ways to bring western hospitality to the community as we collectively navigate through this difficult time.
“I promise you this does not mean the end of Stampede Spirit in our community this year,” says Peers, adding, “We know our community is strong and resilient. We’ll get through this together. Keep your hats on.”
Many Alberta summer festivals including K-Days are cancelled for 2020.
