Here's what five mainstay attractions at the Calgary Stampede could look like this year
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After the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered last summer’s event for the first time in its history, the Calgary Stampede will return this year from July 9 to 18.
The event will look much different from the pre-pandemic version familiar to most Calgarians, however, as organizers grapple with safely holding the Stampede in a COVID-19 world.
Here’s what five mainstay attractions at the Calgary Stampede could look like this year.
Opening parade
The Stampede’s opening parade has served as a kickoff to the event for decades, with Calgarians crowding the core to watch dozens of colourful floats pass by.
But Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi said the off-grounds spectacle won’t take place as usual.
“The challenge with the parade, of course, is you can’t control the number of people who come. You have a lot of people sitting next to each other for three or four hours, so it’s a long duration,” Nenshi said.
A parade could take place for broadcast to be viewed at home, Nenshi said, with potential for small numbers of distanced attendees.
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Premier Jason Kenney noted during his Wednesday announcement of Alberta’s reopening plan that Nenshi had said Calgary would not grant a permit for a Stampede parade this year.
Nenshi sparred with Kenney over the comment, saying it was a “remarkably odd thing for the premier to focus in on.”
Grandstand Show
The Calgary Stampede’s signature Grandstand Show took two big hits Thursday, with the cancellation of chuckwagon races and the withdrawal of local country musician Paul Brandt, who was scheduled to headline the show.
But a scaled-back “evening show” will still take place, including rodeo events, live music, performance from the Young Canadians and a large fireworks display.
“It’ll be some of the western events and experiences you’ve seen in the Grandstand before and some that you haven’t,” said Calgary Stampede spokeswoman Kristina Barnes.
Capacity limits will also be in place for the show, Barnes said, with tickets being released as decisions are made about how many spectators can safely attend.
Midway
The Stampede midway, featuring rides, food vendors and games, will have a new layout this year, aiming to cut down on high-traffic points where crowding often occurs.
“We’re creating bigger walkways that are more open, with less congestion,” Barnes said.
Midway operator North American Midway Entertainment will bring fewer rides and staff than usual to Stampede this year.
Rodeo
Stampedes organizers are working with the federal government to determine how to bring international rodeo athletes across the border for the event, similar to those who came to the city in recent months for curling competitions.
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Last week, Health Canada told Postmedia the agency was reviewing proposals to allow out-of-country rodeo athletes to enter Canada for competition.
Nashville North and live music
Workers began erecting the Nashville North tent on the Stampede grounds Wednesday afternoon, in a new spot due to the BMO Centre expansion.
Organizers are planning for seated table service at the country music venue, with potential for opening up further if circumstances allow.
“Certainly, if it isn’t able to be done safely, we won’t be doing it,” Barnes said.
There will also be live music at Stampede, with some Canadian performers booked, Barnes said.
Twitter: @jasonfherring
Stampede 2021: What five key attractions could look like this year - Calgary Herald
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