Editing Calgary Stampede (section)

=== 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>