Editing Calgary Stampede (section)

==History==
[[File:Program for 1912 Calgary Stampede.jpg|thumb|right|The Program for the 1912 Calgary Stampede featuring the [[The Big Four (Calgary)|Big Four]]: Burns, Lane, Cross, and McLean. This poster is part of the collection of the [[Glenbow Museum|Glenbow Archives]].|alt=A poster featuring a man riding a bucking horse on an open prairie field. In each corner is a photograph of four different middle-aged well-dressed gentlemen.]]
The Calgary and District Agricultural Society was formed in 1884 to promote the town and encourage farmers and ranchers from eastern Canada to move west. The society held its first [[fair]] two years later, attracting a quarter of the town's 2,000 residents.<ref name="GuysDream">{{citation |last=Dudley |first=Wendy |title=Guy's Stampede dream |work=Calgary Herald |date=1997-07-03 |page=SS2}}</ref> By 1889, it had acquired land on the banks of the [[Elbow River]] to host the exhibitions, but crop failures, poor weather, and a declining economy resulted in the society ceasing operations in 1895.<ref>{{harvnb|Dixon|Read|2005|p=26}}</ref> The land passed briefly to future [[Prime Minister of Canada|Prime Minister]] [[R. B. Bennett]] who sold it to the city. The area was called [[Beltline, Calgary|Victoria Park]], after [[Queen Victoria]], and the newly formed Western Pacific Exhibition Company hosted its first agricultural and industrial fair in 1899.<ref>{{harvnb|Dixon|Read|2005|p=27}}</ref>

The exhibition grew annually, and in 1908 the Government of Canada announced that Calgary would host the federally funded [[Dominion Exhibition]] that year. Seeking to take advantage of the opportunity to promote itself, the city spent [[Canadian dollar|C$]]145,000 to build six new pavilions and a racetrack.<ref name="Dixon29">{{harvnb|Dixon|Read|2005|p=29}}</ref> It held a lavish parade as well as [[rodeo]], horse racing, and [[trick roping]] competitions as part of the event.<ref name="GuysDream" /> The exhibition was a success, drawing 100,000 people to the fairgrounds over seven days despite an economic recession that afflicted the city of 25,000.<ref name="Dixon29" />

[[Guy Weadick]], an American trick roper who participated in the Dominion Exhibition as part of the [[Miller Brothers 101 Ranch]] Real Wild West Show, returned to Calgary in 1912 in the hopes of establishing an event that more accurately represented the "wild west" than the shows he was a part of.<ref>{{harvnb|Dixon|Read|2005|p=30}}</ref> He initially failed to sell civic leaders and the Calgary Industrial Exhibition on his plans,<ref name="CHWeadickVision">{{citation |last=Seskus |first=Tony |url=https://calgaryherald.com/homes/stampede/6479984/story.html |title=Guy Weadick's grand vision |work=Calgary Herald |date=2012-04-30 |access-date=2012-06-09 |archive-date=2012-06-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618200017/http://www.calgaryherald.com/homes/stampede/6479984/story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> but with the assistance of local livestock agent H. C. McMullen, Weadick convinced businessmen [[Patrick Burns (politician)|Pat Burns]], [[George Lane (politician)|George Lane]], [[Archie McLean (politician)|A. J. McLean]], and [[A. E. Cross]] to put up $100,000 to guarantee funding for the event.<ref name="GuysDream" /> The [[Big Four (Calgary)|Big Four]], as they came to be known, viewed the project as a final celebration of their life as cattlemen.<ref>{{harvnb|Foran|2008|p=5}}</ref> The city built a rodeo arena on the fairgrounds and over 100,000 people attended the six-day event in September 1912 to watch hundreds of cowboys from Western Canada, the United States, and Mexico compete for $20,000 in prizes.<ref>{{harvnb|Dixon|Read|2005|p=32}}</ref> The event generated $120,000 in revenue and was hailed as a success.<ref name="GuysDream" />

Weadick set about planning the 1913 Stampede, promoting the event across North America. However, the Big Four were not interested in hosting another such event.<ref>{{harvnb|Kennedy|1965|p=22}}</ref> Businessmen in [[Winnipeg]] convinced Weadick to host his second Stampede in their city, but the show failed financially. A third attempt held in [[New York (state)|New York]] State in 1916 suffered the same fate.<ref name="Kennedy23">{{harvnb|Kennedy|1965|p=23}}</ref> Weadick returned to Calgary in 1919 where he gained the support of [[E. L. Richardson (sports executive)|E. L. Richardson]], the general manager of the Calgary Industrial Exhibition. The two convinced numerous Calgarians, including the Big Four, to back the "Great Victory Stampede" in celebration of Canada's soldiers returning from World War I.<ref name="Kennedy23" />

===Calgary Exhibition and Stampede===
While the 1919 Stampede was successful, it was again held as a one-time event. Richardson was convinced that it could be a profitable annual event but found little support for the concept within the board of directors of the Calgary Industrial Exhibition. However, declining attendance and mounting financial losses forced the exhibition board to reconsider Richardson's proposals at their 1922 annual meeting.<ref name="Kennedy28">{{harvnb|Kennedy|1965|p=28}}</ref> Richardson proposed merging the two events on a trial basis. Weadick agreed, and the union created the Calgary Exhibition and Stampede.<ref name="Dixon36">{{harvnb|Dixon|Read|2005|p=36}}</ref>

[[File:1923 Calgary Stampede parade.jpg|thumb|1923 Stampede parade|alt=Hundreds of men on horseback march down a city street as people observe from the sidewalks and rooftops.]]
The combined event was first held in 1923. Weadick encouraged the city's residents to dress in western clothes and decorate their businesses in the spirit of the "wild west".<ref name="GuysDream" /> Civic leaders truly supported the event for the first time: Mayor [[George Harry Webster|George Webster]] followed the costume suggestion and allowed downtown roads to be closed for two hours each morning of the six-day event to accommodate street parties.<ref name="Dixon36" /> The new sport of [[chuckwagon racing]] was introduced and proved immediately popular.<ref>{{citation |title=2009 Calgary Stampede Evening Show Program |publisher=Calgary Stampede |page=8}}</ref> 138,950 people attended and the event earned a profit.<ref name="Dixon36" /> Over 167,000 people attended in 1924 and the success guaranteed that the Stampede and Exhibition would be held together permanently.<ref name="Dixon38">{{harvnb|Dixon|Read|2005|p=38}}</ref>

Attendance grew annually throughout the 1920s, peaking at 258,496 in 1928, but the onset of the [[Great Depression]] resulted in attendance declines and financial losses. After consecutive years of losses in 1930 and 1931, the exhibition board was forced to make cutbacks, a decision that strained the relationship between the board and Weadick.<ref name="Kennedy41">{{harvnb|Kennedy|1965|p=41}}</ref> Furthering the divide was Weadick's growing resentment of the board's control of what he considered his event. The issue came to a head in 1932 when Weadick and Richardson engaged in a loud argument over the situation, ending with Weadick's threat to quit entirely.<ref>{{harvnb|Livingstone|1996|p=110}}</ref> One month later, the exhibition board announced that it had relieved him of his duties.<ref name="Kennedy41" /> Angered by the decision, Weadick sued the exhibition board for $100,000, citing breach of contract and unfair dismissal.<ref>{{harvnb|Livingstone|1996|p=111}}</ref> His claim was upheld in courts, but he was awarded only $2,750 plus legal fees.<ref>{{harvnb|Kennedy|1965|p=42}}</ref> Embittered by the events, Weadick remained at odds with the board for 20 years until he was invited to the 1952 Stampede as an honoured guest and parade marshal.<ref>{{harvnb|Livingstone|1996|p=120}}</ref>

At least seven movies were filmed at the Stampede by 1950. The most profitable, the 1925 [[silent movie|silent film]] ''The Calgary Stampede'', used footage from the rodeo and exposed people across North America to the event.<ref name="Foran10">{{harvnb|Foran|2008|p=10}}</ref> [[Hollywood (film industry)|Hollywood]] stars and foreign dignitaries were attracted to the Stampede; [[Bob Hope]] and [[Bing Crosby]] each served as parade marshals during the 1950s,<ref name="Dixon42">{{harvnb|Dixon|Read|2005|p=42}}</ref> while Queen [[Elizabeth II]] and Prince [[Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh|Philip]] made their first of two visits to the event as part of their 1959 tour of Canada.<ref>{{citation |url=http://archives.cbc.ca/on_this_day/07/09/ |title=A royal Calgary Stampede |publisher=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]] |access-date=2010-05-18 |archive-date=2011-06-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629022020/http://archives.cbc.ca/on_this_day/07/09/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Queen also opened the 1973 Stampede.<ref name="Dixon43">{{harvnb|Dixon|Read|2005|p=43}}</ref>

===Expansion===
The discovery of the [[Leduc No. 1]] oil well in 1946 and major reserves in the [[Turner Valley, Alberta|Turner Valley]] area southwest of the city ushered in a period of growth and prosperity. Calgary was transformed from an agricultural community into the oil and gas capital of Canada.<ref name="Gray136">{{harvnb|Gray|1985|p=136}}</ref> The city's population nearly doubled between 1949 and 1956, and Calgary's immigrant population not only embraced the Stampede, but encouraged friends and family in their home towns to do the same.<ref name="Gray136" /> The 1950s represented the golden age of the Calgary Stampede.<ref name="Gray137">{{harvnb|Gray|1985|p=137}}</ref>
[[File:Stampede grounds entrance (18963502424).jpg|thumb|Stampede grounds, 1953]]
Attendance records were broken nearly every year in the 1950s and overall attendance increased by 200,000 from 1949 to 1959.<ref name="Gray144">{{harvnb|Gray|1985|p=144}}</ref> The growth necessitated expansion of the exhibition grounds.<ref name="Dixon43" /> The 7,500-seat [[Stampede Corral]] was completed in 1950 as the largest indoor arena in Western Canada.<ref name="Foran12">{{harvnb|Foran|2008|p=12}}</ref> It housed the [[Calgary Stampeders (ice hockey)|Calgary Stampeders]] hockey team, which was operated by the Board of Governors and won the [[Western Hockey League (1952–1974)|Western Hockey League]] championship in 1954.<ref name="Gray142">{{harvnb|Gray|1985|p=142}}</ref> Acts such as the [[Minnesota Orchestra|Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra]] and [[Louis Armstrong]] played the Corral, although the arena's poor acoustics were a frequent concern to organizers and patrons.<ref name="Gray140">{{harvnb|Gray|1985|p=140}}</ref>

Improvements were made to the grandstand and the race track was rebuilt in 1954.<ref name="Gray143">{{harvnb|Gray|1985|p=143}}</ref> The Big Four Building, named in honour of the Stampede's benefactors, opened in 1959 to serve as the city's largest exhibition hall in the summer,<ref name="Dixon42" /> and was converted into a 24-sheet [[curling]] facility each winter.<ref name="Gray143"/> The improvements failed to alleviate all the pressures growth had caused: chronic parking shortages and inability to accommodate demand for tickets to the rodeo and grandstand shows continued.<ref name="Gray143" />

Attendance continued to grow throughout the 1960s and 1970s, topping 500,000 for the first time in 1962 and reaching 654,000 in 1966. Organizers expanded the event from six days to nine in 1967 and then to ten the following year.<ref name="Dixon43" /> The Stampede exceeded one million visitors for the first time in 1976.<ref name="GuysDream" /> The park, meanwhile, continued to grow. The Round-Up Centre opened in 1979 as the new exhibition hall, and the [[Olympic Saddledome]] was completed in 1983.<ref name="Dixon44">{{harvnb|Dixon|Read|2005|p=44}}</ref> The Saddledome replaced the Corral as the city's top sporting arena, and both facilities hosted [[ice hockey at the 1988 Winter Olympics|hockey]] and [[figure skating at the 1988 Winter Olympics|figure skating]] events at the [[1988 Winter Olympics]].<ref name="Dixon44" />

Maintaining the traditional focus on agriculture and western heritage remained a priority for the Calgary Stampede as the city grew into a major financial and oil hub in Western Canada.<ref name="Dixon44" /> "Aggie Days", a program designed to introduce urban schoolchildren to agriculture was introduced in 1989 and proved immediately popular.<ref name="Dixon44" /> A ten-year expansion plan called Horizon 2000 was released in 1990 detailing plans to grow Stampede Park into a year-round destination for Calgarians;<ref name="GuysDream" /> an updated plan was released in 2004.<ref name="Dixon45">{{harvnb|Dixon|Read|2005|p=45}}</ref> The Calgary Exhibition and Stampede organization dropped the word "exhibition" from its title in 2007, and has since been known simply as the Calgary Stampede.<ref>{{harvnb|Foran|2008|p=ix}}</ref> Attendance has plateaued around 1.2 million since 2000,<ref>{{citation|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-stampede-attendance-falls-slightly-1.806251 |title=Calgary Stampede attendance falls slightly |work=[[CBC News]] |date=2009-07-13 |access-date=2010-05-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090717023107/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-stampede-attendance-falls-slightly-1.806251 |archive-date=July 17, 2009 }}</ref> however the Stampede set an attendance record of 1,409,371 while celebrating its centennial anniversary in 2012.<ref name="2012Attendance">{{citation |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-stampede-sets-new-attendance-record-1.1193512 |title=Calgary Stampede sets new attendance record |publisher=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=2012-07-16 |access-date=2012-07-17 |archive-date=2012-07-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717083123/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/story/2012/07/16/calgary-stampede-attendance-record.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Flooding ===
[[2013 Alberta floods|Severe flooding]] in Calgary two weeks before the July 5 opening of the 2013 Stampede caused significant damage to the grounds. Stampede officials promised, however, that the event would be staged as planned.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-stampede-to-go-on-come-hell-or-high-water-1.1338657 |title=Calgary Stampede will go ahead despite flooding |publisher=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=2013-06-24 |access-date=2013-06-24 |archive-date=2013-06-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130624230352/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2013/06/24/canada-calgary-stampede-alberta-flood.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Some of the main events, and all concerts, scheduled for the Saddledome were cancelled due to flood damage to the facility, while other events were relocated to other locations.<ref>{{cite news |last=Toneguzzi |first=Mario |url=https://calgaryherald.com/entertainment/Kiss+Jepsen+McGraw+Dixie+Chicks+Saddledome+concerts/8607227/story.html |title=Kiss, Jepsen, Dixie Chicks, Saddledome concerts cancelled by Calgary Stampede |work=Calgary Herald |date=2013-07-02 |access-date=2013-07-02 |archive-date=2013-07-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130707012553/http://www.calgaryherald.com/entertainment/Kiss+Jepsen+McGraw+Dixie+Chicks+Saddledome+concerts/8607227/story.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== COVID-19 pandemic ===
{{As of|alt=On April 23|2020|04|23}}, the 2020 Stampede was cancelled for the first time in almost a century due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta|COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref name="covidglob">{{Cite web|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/6815098/covid-19-2020-calgary-stampede-update/|title=2020 Calgary Stampede cancelled for first time in over 100 years amid COVID-19|website=Global News|language=en|access-date=2020-04-26|archive-date=2020-04-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200427155848/https://globalnews.ca/news/6815098/covid-19-2020-calgary-stampede-update/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-calgary-stampede-cancelled-as-covid-19-restrictions-expected-to-extend/|title=Calgary Stampede cancelled as COVID-19 restrictions set to extend into summer|access-date=2020-04-26|archive-date=2020-04-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424203702/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-calgary-stampede-cancelled-as-covid-19-restrictions-expected-to-extend/|url-status=live}}</ref> Community-oriented events held in compliance with Alberta public health orders were organized on the original dates of the Stampede, including pop-up [[drive-through]]s offering pancakes and midway food staples, and maintaining the event's [[fireworks]] show.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Villani|first=Mark|date=2020-07-03|title=No parade? No problem: Western traditions alive despite 2020 Calgary Stampede cancellation|url=https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/no-parade-no-problem-western-traditions-alive-despite-2020-calgary-stampede-cancellation-1.5009330|access-date=2020-07-04|website=CTV News Calgary|language=en|archive-date=2020-07-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704235926/https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/no-parade-no-problem-western-traditions-alive-despite-2020-calgary-stampede-cancellation-1.5009330|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="covidglob" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=First-ever Calgary Stampede drive-thru pancake breakfast puts the boots to COVID-19 gloom|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7139251/calgary-stampede-drive-thru-pancake-breakfast/|access-date=2020-07-08|website=Global News|language=en|archive-date=2020-07-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707232747/https://globalnews.ca/news/7139251/calgary-stampede-drive-thru-pancake-breakfast/|url-status=live}}</ref> The cancellation made a significant economic impact, as recent editions had contributed $540 million to the province's economy.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-stampede-covid-19-2020-announcement-1.5542680 |title=Calgary Stampede cancelled for first time in almost a century |date=23 April 2020 |publisher=CBC News |access-date=23 April 2020 |quote= |archive-date=24 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424022958/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-stampede-covid-19-2020-announcement-1.5542680 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="covidglob" />

In April 2021, Alberta's chief medical officer of health [[Deena Hinshaw]] projected that the province could lift some of its restrictions on gatherings by late-June, while Premier Jason Kenney stated that the province could begin doing so once at least two thirds of its residents have been [[COVID-19 vaccine|vaccinated]]. However, soon afterwards, the province began to enact stricter public health orders to control a major ongoing wave of infections.<ref name=":10">{{Cite web|last=Romero|first=Diego|date=2021-04-06|title=Alberta returns to Step 1 of restrictions as COVID-19 variant cases rise|url=https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/alberta-returns-to-step-1-of-restrictions-as-covid-19-variant-cases-rise-1.5376344|access-date=2021-04-07|website=Edmonton|language=en|archive-date=2021-04-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407030548/https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/alberta-returns-to-step-1-of-restrictions-as-covid-19-variant-cases-rise-1.5376344|url-status=live}}</ref> On May 14, the Stampede announced that it did plan to hold an in-person event for 2021, but that the structure of the event would have to be "very different" to comply with whatever public health orders will be in effect by then.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Organizers hold out hope for a 'very different' Stampede this summer|url=https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/stampede-planning-incredibly-fluid-as-uncertainty-plagues-the-summer-events-industry-across-alberta|access-date=2021-05-15|website=calgaryherald|language=en-CA|archive-date=2021-05-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515162911/https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/stampede-planning-incredibly-fluid-as-uncertainty-plagues-the-summer-events-industry-across-alberta|url-status=live}}</ref> On May 26, the Alberta government announced a revised "Open for Summer" plan for easing public health orders, which would allow the majority of restrictions to be lifted two weeks after 70% of eligible residents receive at least one vaccine dose (provided that hospitalizations continue to decline). It was later announced that restrictions would be fully lifted on July 1.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Antoneshyn|first=Alex|date=2021-06-18|title=Alberta to lift COVID-19 restrictions on Canada Day|url=https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/alberta-to-lift-covid-19-restrictions-on-canada-day-1.5476187|access-date=2021-06-20|website=CTV News Edmonton|language=en|archive-date=2021-06-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210619230925/https://edmonton.ctvnews.ca/alberta-to-lift-covid-19-restrictions-on-canada-day-1.5476187|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Dormer|first=Dave|date=2021-05-26|title=Reopening in Alberta begins June 1 with outdoor dining, all restrictions could be lifted by July|url=https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/reopening-in-alberta-begins-june-1-with-outdoor-dining-all-restrictions-could-be-lifted-by-july-1.5443070|access-date=2021-05-26|website=CTV News Calgary|language=en|archive-date=2021-05-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526200842/https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/reopening-in-alberta-begins-june-1-with-outdoor-dining-all-restrictions-could-be-lifted-by-july-1.5443070|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=Pancakes but no parade: What's likely on the table for the 2021 Calgary Stampede?|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7895794/calgary-stampede-2021-covid-19-restrictions-eased/|access-date=2021-05-31|website=Global News|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-06-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602214619/https://globalnews.ca/news/7895794/calgary-stampede-2021-covid-19-restrictions-eased/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Despite the lifting of public health restrictions, measures such as [[social distancing]] would still be encouraged, and the capacity of Stampede Park would therefore be controlled.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2021-07-08 |title=Get a glimpse of what the Calgary Stampede will look like this year |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/stampede-calgary-pandemic-safety-measures-1.6093292 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709051149/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/stampede-calgary-pandemic-safety-measures-1.6093292 |archive-date=2021-07-09 |access-date=2021-07-09 |website=CBC News}}</ref> There would be pre-purchased entry to the grounds and reduced capacity for events. Citing that participants would not have enough time to prepare for the Stampede on short notice due to other chuckwagon racing events leading up to it being cancelled, the Rangeland Derby was cancelled for the second year in a row.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> Admission to Nashville North (which would be an open-air stage rather than a tent) required [[proof of vaccination]] or a negative [[COVID-19 rapid antigen test|rapid test]].<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|date=2021-07-06|title=Calgary Stampede music venue Nashville North to require proof of COVID-19 vaccination or rapid test|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-stampede-vaccination-1.6092353|access-date=2021-07-09|website=CBC News|archive-date=2021-07-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210708140811/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-stampede-vaccination-1.6092353|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> As the Mayor of Calgary did not issue a permit for it to occur on public streets,<ref name=":2" /> the Stampede parade was downsized and held as a broadcast-only event within Stampede Park, with [[Behind closed doors (sport)|no public spectators admitted]].<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|title=Floats, horses and plenty of yahoos at scaled-down 2021 Calgary Stampede - Calgary {{!}} Globalnews.ca|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/8006585/2021-calgary-stampede-parade-live/|access-date=2021-07-09|website=Global News|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-07-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709115728/https://globalnews.ca/news/8006585/2021-calgary-stampede-parade-live/|url-status=live}}</ref> To compensate for the cancellation of the Rangeland Derby, [[bronc riding]] events were added to the rodeo's evening sessions.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-06-23|title=New bronc riding sport will replace chuckwagon races in Calgary Stampede evening show|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-stampede-bronc-riding-1.6077244|access-date=2021-07-10|website=CBC News|archive-date=2021-06-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625214015/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-stampede-bronc-riding-1.6077244|url-status=live}}</ref>

The decision to go on with the Stampede was met with mixed reactions, including concerns that it could become a [[superspreading event]] because Alberta's reopening criteria were based only on the first vaccine dose and not being fully vaccinated. There was also criticism from the chuckwagon racing community over the cancellation of the Rangeland Derby.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Calgary Stampede unveils modified 2021 plans; cancels Rangeland Derby|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/7900070/calgary-stampede-rangeland-derby-covid-coronavirus-vaccination/|access-date=2021-05-30|website=Global News|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-05-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210528220846/https://globalnews.ca/news/7900070/calgary-stampede-rangeland-derby-covid-coronavirus-vaccination/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|date=2021-05-28|title='A big blow to the sport:' Chuckwagon racers surprised, confused after Calgary Stampede cut event|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-chuckwagon-drivers-confused-calgary-stampede-cut-event-1.6044807|access-date=2021-05-30|website=CBC News|archive-date=2021-05-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210529201231/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-chuckwagon-drivers-confused-calgary-stampede-cut-event-1.6044807|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":2" /> On July 27, [[Alberta Health Services]] stated that it had only officially attributed 71 cases of COVID-19 to the Stampede, out of a total attendance of 528,998.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-07-27|title=Stampede not a super-spreader event: Alberta Health|url=https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/stampede-not-a-super-spreader-event-alberta-health-1.5525751|url-status=live|access-date=2021-07-28|website=CTV News Calgary|language=en|archive-date=2021-07-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210728203307/https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/stampede-not-a-super-spreader-event-alberta-health-1.5525751}}</ref>