Wendy Bryden’s Stampede Essays The first in a series of historical essays by the author of The First Stampede of Flores La Due. Decade Ten 2002 – 2012: One Hundred Years Young Hearing the names Lauder, Glass, Cosgrove, Dorchester and Sutherland ringing out from the loudspeaker at the Calgary Stampede chuckwagon races is a thrill for many of us, but the fact that the descendants of some of the first chuckwagon drivers are now driving the chucks themselves is a telling sign that the Calgary Stampede isn’t a kid anymore. After its birth in 1912, the Stampede grew from a happy toddler into a popular, lanky teenager. Then, suddenly, it was taller than all of us and middle aged to boot. And now, as Father Time keeps ticking along, our little baby is going to be turning 100. As the song goes, when did she get to be a beauty? Given her advanced age, is it time our gal got a dye job to cover up all those grey hairs? Are her blue jeans too tight after 100 years of Stampede bacon and pancake breakfasts? Are the knees giving out after all that square dancing in the street? Has age stolen her thunder? Absolutely not. In fact, children have always been vitally important, to the Stampede, particularly through the 4-H movement. But as far back as 1931, the Stampede organizers were thinking up ways to attract city youth with the first Kids Day, which welcomed youngsters and their parents into the park free and gave them a free breakfast. In addition to many core youth programs, the quality of the evening grandstand show was enhanced by the addition of the award-winning performers of the Young Canadians and the formation of the all-female equestrian drill team (part of the Calgary Stampede Showriders), all of whom were between the ages of 14 and 21. And in 1967, the Calgary Stampede executives gave serious attention to the future by finding new ways of getting younger Calgarians on the board of directors. So, even with a few lines on the face and a few salt and pepper hairs poking out from under the Stetson, the Calgary Stampede is still a beauty
© Wendy Bryden’s historical essay on Decade Ten (2000 – 2012) of the Calgary Stampede has been provided by her for exclusive use in Glencoe Life. Wendy Bryden’s historical essays have been officially approved by the Calgary Stampede.
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