The Calgary Stampede has kicked off drawing in a large crowd to the park. “The crowd is waiting,” said the manager of communications and media relations at the Calgary Stampede Julie Forget. “We’re pumped.” The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth had a packed lineup outside the entrance gates for the opening day. Last year, more than 1,470,000 people attended the 10-day event. At the grounds, there are dozens of games and rides for people to enjoy. “This is the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, we’ve got classics and we’ve got new things,” Forget said. New for the year are sand sculptures, which are spread out in the BMO Centre. There is also the Flying Fools Diving show. “They’re diving from about 25 metres into a three-meter-high pool. It’s going to be insane,” said Forget. Also new for this year is the Taste of Stampede. The event puts chefs on a stage throughout the 10 days, in 40 different events, in a competition style format at the BMO Centre. “We have demonstrations, which are going to be chef led and restaurant led that showcase some really exceptional restaurants in our city,” said chair of the Taste of Stampede Stephanie Patterson. “Then we have community competition which is going to be police versus firefighters.” Meanwhile, outside the BMO Centre people will have a wide variety of food options to choose from. There are four Candy Time locations on-site, providing people with a sweet treat or something to help them cool down. “Big crowds - that’s what we are here for,” said owner Tyler Wray. “It’s a really good portion of our season.” To help welcome people in for the Stampede’s first day, admission was free from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
