Canada’s international ten-day spectacle on western cutlure and entertainment ended Sunday. Another success in spite of less cooperation from the weather this year.

Canada’s international ten-day spectacle of western cutlure and variety entertainment ended Sunday. Another success in spite of less cooperation from the weather this year.
Photo Credit: Calgary Stampede

The annual Calgary Stampede comes to a wet closure.

By Marc Montgomery |
english@rcinet.ca
Posted: Monday, July 18, 2016 12:07

Another successful “greatest annual outdoor show on earth”, albeit, a damp one.

the GMC Rangeland Derby (chuck wagon races) final was as exciting as ever, and muddy!
The GMC Rangeland Derby (chuck wagon races) final was as exciting as ever, and muddy! © Calgary Stampede-CBC
A wagon hits a barrel and flips in an early heat race. Often criticized for the danger it poses to the animals, neither horse nor driver suffered a scratch in the spectacular accident. The Stampede introduced a number of safety changes and inspections after four horses were killed last year.
A wagon hits a barrel and flips in an early heat race. Often criticized for the danger it poses to the animals, neither horse nor driver suffered a scratch in the spectacular accident. The Stampede introduced a number of safety changes and inspections after four horses were killed last year. © CBC sports

It’s over for this year. The Calgary Stampede ten-day festival and celebration of western Canadian culture closed on Sunday after another successful run.

It wasn’t a record for attendance this year as it was one of the wettest “Stampedes”  ever.

Rides, food, vendors, always lots do see and do, and eat along the midway as well
Rides, food, vendors, always lots do see and do, and eat along the midway as well © CBC
..but what it looked like Friday evening, the normally packed midway, rather deserted in what will go down as one of the wettest Stampedes on record. Still, overall attendance was around one million.
Always lots to see and do on a nice day, but what it looked like Friday evening, The normally packed midway shown rather deserted in what will go down as one of the wettest Stampedes on record. As an outdoor show, it’s always dependent on the weather cooperating. Still, overall attendance was around one million. © Terri Trembath/CBC

Last year on the last weekend Saturday  over 151-thousand visitors turned out, this year in the wet and drizzle, attendance was  just over 109-thousand.

The economic effect of the steep decline in world crude oil prices also had an negative effect on Calgary and Alberta, with many layoffs in the oil industry which also meant fewer people attending, even though the Stampede had a couple of days of lowered entrance prices to encourage people to come, and many did in spite of the drizzle and rain

Attendance will certainly not come close to the 2014, 100-year anniversary mark of 1.4 million, but  considering the weather and economic conditions, it can only be considered a great success with attendance around or just below the 1-million visitor mark.

Blacksmith competitions are among the many western skills demonstrated, This photo taken at the 2010 competition
Blacksmith competitions are among the many western skills demonstrated, This photo taken at the 2010 competition © Sergei S Scurfield- wiki commons
The international sheep shearing competition is also a big draw with thousands of dollars in prizes.
The international sheep shearing competition is also a big draw with thousands of dollars in prizes. © Calgary Stampede
An example of the international nature of the Stampede, Mike Pora of Australia successfully defended his championship title by shearing six sheep in 6.25 minutes at this year’s North American sheep shearing competition at the Stampede
Another example of the international nature of the Stampede, Mike Pora of Australia successfully defended his championship title by shearing six sheep in 6.25 minutes at this year’s North American sheep shearing competition at the Stampede © Barbara Duckworth- via The Western Producer
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