There are many stereotypes that exist around the potential risks of Stampede time in Calgary, and many of them are realistic. For example, the risk of high alcohol consumption can lead to many not-so-great experiences. However, sometimes it’s useful to look at the benefits of these kinds of events as they are less often discussed. It can be easy to complain about the challenging things that the Stampede brings (e.g. traffic disturbances associated with the parade, lowered productivity in businesses, increased risky behaviour, etc.), but let’s take a moment to explore some of the good things Stampede brings to our city:
- An opportunity to play: Let’s face it; it has been a challenging few years in this city. The economic environment has been stressful with people being laid off, which results in people worrying about their jobs or incomes. We have also experienced several significant events such as the flood in 2014, as well other events in Alberta, such as the Slave Lake and Fort McMurray fires. Stampede gives us 10 days of an excuse to let our hair down, embrace our inner child on the midway, wear jeans to work, spend time with friends, see people from out of town, and enjoy the warm weather. This sense of “play” is an important balance to the stressors we may all face.
- Sense of community: Just as tragedy can bring a community together, so can a shared experience; such as the feeling the Stampede can bring, and events that happen alongside the Stampede. Driving around the city, you can see the Stampede flags flying on street lights. Watching the news or standing around the water cooler at work, people discuss the new foods on the grounds, or the chuck wagon races. Whether you are young or old, have lived in Calgary all your life or new to this city, the Calgary Stampede is a way for people of all walks of life to have something in common. It’s a topic to discuss, an event to experience, or even something that people can agree to avoid together!
- Switching it up: We can all get into a stagnant routine in our lives in which we are lacking excitement or a sense of being engaged. Though many aspects of the Stampede are similar from year to year, there is also an excitement that can come when switching up our routines. For example, you might discover new aspects of this event when taking friends or relatives from out of town for the first time. You may also try new rides, new rodeo events, a new band on the Coke Stage, and/or a new food (some of the 2016 foods include butter chicken fries, teriyaki chicken perogies, and a deep fried Oreo milkshake!). Keeping things fresh and new can reacquaint us with the joy in our lives.
