Calgary Stampede: Celebrating Canada's Western Heritage

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Topic spans: 1956 - 1999

Calgary Stampede: Celebrating Canada's Western Heritage

For 10 days in July, mild-mannered Calgarians don skin-tight wranglers, big shiny belts and even bigger Stetsons and go into "Stampede mode." Not much work gets done as cowboys, Indian princesses, ferris wheels and pancake breakfasts take hold of the city. From its humble beginnings in 1912 to the ongoing controversy over chuckwagon races, the Calgary Exhibition & Stampede continues to be Canada's annual salute to the good old days of the Wild West.

Photo of rodeo cowboy on horseback courtesy of the Calgary Stampede Archives.

8 television clips

6 radio clips

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'Buckle bunnies' and their cowboys

Broadcast Date: July 14, 1982

These cowgirls can't get enough of their cowboys. Call them devoted fans, rodeo groupies or buckle bunnies but they live, breathe and sleep cowboys.
"They're special," one bunny tells CBC Television, "some women like football players, some like hockey players and I guess we like cowboys." It's a devotion that requires some serious dedication.

One bunny reportedly followed her favourite cowboy to 15 rodeos across the continent.
Some of the perks of being a buckle bunny include free rodeo passes, sitting behind the chutes and the wild rodeo after-parties.

'Buckle bunnies' and their cowboys

• In 1919, an amazing crash occurred when Fred MaCaul, a local war hero, took the Stampede manager's two sons for a plane ride over the grounds. They were passing low over the grandstand when his plane engine suddenly died. MaCaul expertly manoeuvred his plane to land on top of a carousel spire and everyone walked away from the accident unhurt.

'Buckle bunnies' and their cowboys

Medium: Television

Program: Calgary Newshour

Broadcast Date: July 14, 1982

Reporter: Sally Halliday

Duration: 1:24

Music edited out for copyright reasons.

Last updated:
Aug. 14, 2009

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