Calgary Stampede: Rope Square
Stampede dates: July 4-13, 2008
Each Stampede, Olympic Plaza is transformed into "Rope Square", hosting activities daily from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Rope Square is quiet on Parade Day (July 9) and on Sundays. Insider Tip: get your SECOND Stampede breakfast at Rope Square after you got your first one outside one of the downtown's many office tower sidewalk breakfasts!
Stephen Avenue Walk has several western displays on your way to Rope Square. Daily square dances are held between 3rd to 4th streets (by Holt Renfrew) between 10 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. Horse-drawn wagons offer tours of the downtown core? Tours leave from 9th Avenue and 1st Street by the Palliser Hotel.
Chuckwagon breakfasts offer free food and entertainment for everyone, from 8 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. The Rope Square stage features marching bands, dancers, singers, fiddlers and more. Sometimes there is even an old-fashioned gunfight! Participation events include the Cowboy Hat Stomping Contest or the Great Western Flapjack Flip.
Afterwards, you can head down the block and check out the Glenbow Museum which has plenty of western exhibits on four floors. Learn about the Indians, explorers, ranchers and railroaders.
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