A rare look at what the Calgary Stampede looked like in 1950 (VIDEO)
Via Calgary Stampede / Don Chapin on saddle bronc Rough BoneVia Calgary Stampede – Artist Unknown
The Calgary Stampede is officially up and running! In honour of Parade Day, we want to take a look at some Stampede history. Lucky for all of us, the 10-day festival has been well-documented on video for a long time. So long, in fact, that we found some footage of the 1950 Calgary Stampede. Let’s take a little looksie, shall we?
That frame at the beginning reading “Calgary’s 75th Anniversary” is proof of its 1950 timestamp. Pretty cool seeing that the chucks and rodeo were both as massive of draws back then as they are now. Okay, so there are fewer people attending in 1950, but there were fewer people on earth. Quick maths, folks.
Not only that but Calgary’s population was only at around 132,000 people in 1950. Instead of the low population being a detriment to the ‘Pede, attendance through the 1950s broke records year after year.
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Also, that decade saw Hollywood heavyweights like Bing Crosby and Bob Hope served as Parade Marshalls. Obviously, the 50s were a massive boom for the Calgary Stampede and helped it become what it is today.
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So, while you’re out there hootin’ and hollerin’ and having a fine old western time, think about the thousands of volunteers and hours put into making the Calgary Stampede such a success. Then, slam a boot-beer, dance a little two-step diddy, and party on. Happy Stampede, Calgary!
