It’s just about that time of year again. Calgarians are preparing to don their hats and cowboy boots for the greatest outdoor show on earth, a tradition that spans more than a century. This old video actually shows how the Calgary Stampede got its start, and it’s from over 100 years ago!
Every single summer, visitors from near and far flock to the city for rodeo, live music, fair food, and spirited Western fun.
While the Stampede of today is a massive, city-wide festival, its roots are thoroughly grounded in Western heritage.
In fact, the YouTube channel Silent Film Archives has tracked down evidence of the Stampede in its early days, back when “cowboys” referred to the profession, rather than the rowdiest festival tent.
As the video description informs us, our beloved Stampede’s roots are traced to 1886, when the Calgary and District Agricultural Society held its first fair.
In 1912, American promoter Guy Weadick organized the first rodeo and festival, known as the Stampede. He then returned to Calgary in 1919 to organize the Victory Stampede in honour of soldiers returning from World War I. In 1923, this festival became an annual event when it merged with the Calgary Industrial Exhibition.
This clip was recorded at that very first official Calgary Exhibition and Stampede in 1923, over 100 years ago.
This Stampede snapshot is a flash from the past, but there’s still a lot you might recognize. Granted, we bet things were certainly more dangerous back then.
How long have you been attending the Calgary Stampede? Let us know in the comments below.
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