The Stampede is synonymous with Calgary, but Calgary is not exactly synonymous with oceanfront fun.
With its hay bales and plaid-clad crowd, the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth is a western wonderland where organizers are not afraid to grab a challenge by the horns.
From brand-new displays to fresh experiences, the event continues to wow visitors, and for those who dream of sun and sand, 1991 was a year to remember.
Yeeh-onolulu
Before I was tall enough to ride the Zipper, the city’s summertime spectacle pulled off something remarkable.
In partnership with the Calgary Beach Volleyball Association, they encouraged people to swap their leather chaps for cabana naps and built an entire beach at the Calgary Stampede.
Baffled and a little jealous that I wasn’t able to swap my cowboy boots for a pair of flip-flops, I asked the experts to take me back in time.
“The Stampede is really known for its bold ideas. Every year is something a little different”, said Lauryn MacDonald, communications advisor for the Calgary Stampede.
“What they did was actually truck in a bunch of sand, and they put up fake palm trees, they brought in picnic benches and bright umbrellas”.
The setup — Calgary’s biggest cabana at the time — took up much of the park between the Big Four and what is now the new BMO Expansion.
As for who could check it out? The beach club wasn’t exclusive, but it did have a target audience.
While kids were allowed in the area, Stampede’s temporary oasis was meant for “mature audiences” and offered a ton of adult entertainment to those passing through.
“They expanded the kid zone, and kind of gave the adults their own space”, MacDonald added.
Appropriately named The Beach, the area was complete with volleyball nets, a boardwalk, a dance zone, and a stage where bands played music from noon until closing time.
Among them? The Heartbeats, The Fun Company, and Papa Doo Run Run, a California-based band that covered 1960s surf hits.
“It was a very different look than what we usually see at Stampede”, MacDonald continued.
From a working oil derrick that shot flames into the sky to their larger-than-life Grandstand Show, Calgary’s favourite event is not afraid to take risks, but would they ever recreate a coastline? We’ve got some fingers crossed, but won’t hold our breath.
“The Stampede is always doing fun and interesting things and little throwbacks to the past, so I can’t say never.”
Want to learn more?
If you’d also like to learn more about the Stampede’s rich history, you can do so at Calgary’s year-round Stampede exhibit, the Sam Centre.
Whether it’s what was on the menu years ago or who was on the Coca-Cola Stage, this incredible venue probably has an answer to your question and will keep you entertained even months after Calgary’s 10-day hoedown has come and gone.
Want to see everything for yourself? This June, the centre will launch a brand-new exhibit at the Ross Glen gallery that showcases Stampede posters from then and now, but don’t hesitate. Like a really good pĩna colada, it will not last forever, so enjoy it while you can.
The 2025 Calgary Stampede is just around the corner, and while it might not have a beach, it will have some incredible concerts, rides, food, and great company.
Enjoy and happy ‘peding. We’ll see you out there!
Where: 632 13th Ave. SE, Calgary
Cost: $15 for adult admission
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