For 10 days in July, Calgary welcomes the world to Canada's biggest, wildest, western party. The Calgary Stampede, also known as the 'greatest outdoor show on earth', thunders into cowtown July 7 to 16 for an 88th year. Join in and see what gets locals and visitors alike all fired up.

The most important thing for visitors to know is that the party is nonstop. The locals dust off their boots and hats and not a whole lot of work gets done as the entire town eases into Stampede mode. Whether it's welcoming visitors in fine Calgary Stampede style, hosting or participating in some of that fine Stampede 'hospitality', the town lives up to its ever growing reputation for reinventing the 'wild west'.

The Calgary Stampede is all about friendly Calgarians, 400 cowboys and cowgirls competing for big money, the Rodeo, the chuckwagon races, marching bands, the Indian Village and the 1912 western town, blacksmithing competitions, the midway with all its thrills and spills, and all those pancake breakfasts.

The best cowboys and cowgirls from around the world compete in the Stampede's six events looking for their particular piece of the $700,000 purse. The events feature top stock in what is arguably the biggest rodeo around. Catch the competitors' excitement as they compete in the six events: saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, bull riding, calf roping, steer wrestling and ladies barrel racing.

The Rangeland Derby Chuckwagon Races are in a category all their own. Famous and infamous, wild and exciting, the Chucks personify Stampede tradition, this event is guaranteed to have spectators on the edge of their seats, rooting and cheering for their favourite driver.