📍 Quick Facts
•Venue & Location: 33 Wheatland Trail, Strathmore
•Date Attended: August 2026
•Admission Cost: $21-$88 We paid $82 pp for full package
•Crowd Care and Organization: Well organized
We chose the perfect day for the rodeo; it was supposed to be 25 and sunny all day, then go down to 18 in the evening.
Considering we had purchased the full day package, ‘Rodeo at 1 pm’, Running with the Bulls at 6 pm, and then ‘Chuck Wagon racing at 7 pm ’, we figured we would play it smart by throwing in a warm fuzzy blanket and a sweater or two.
If you’ve spent any time in Calgary and the surrounding area, you’ll know that we live in a big desert in the sky…and that means stinking hot in the daytime when the sun is shining, and then the bottom falls out of the temperature as soon as the sun drops down behind the horizon.
It was an easy drive to Strathmore, just 40 minutes out of Calgary, and the prairie landscape didn’t disappoint. Even though the land was so flat you could watch your dog run away for three whole days, there were plenty of bright yellow canola fields, farmland, quaint acreages, and huge skies to make for a pleasant drive.
We followed the GPS instructions to the Rodeo grounds. As soon as our final destination was in sight, there were a multitude of yellow-vested, friendly-faced helpers directing us to proper parking. We quickly got our car sorted.
Like happy cattle, we followed the crowd through the winding steel maze of barricades, towards registration and check-in. Arm bracelets were strapped on, and we were on our way. Fast, efficient and ‘thank you Ma’am, have a great day…now, who’s next’.
Once we were past the ticket takers, our eyes were drawn to vendors’ stalls. There were cowgirl purses, T-shirts, jewellery, belts and buckles, all sorts of western-themed artisan items to suit every want and need.
Next came the food trucks & concessions: Classic midway foods, smoky barbecue, sweet treats and festival snacks, with beer, lemonade and soda to quench your thirst. There was even a mechanical bull there for those who wanted to test their luck but were not brave enough to get on the ring and try the real-living, breathing thing.
As 1 o’clock drew near, the crowd started to make their way to the grandstand for the main attraction: It was Rodeo time.
Held annually over the August long weekend, the Strathmore rodeo portion of the Strathmore Stampede is highly regarded for its exceptional organization and substantial prize purse. As Canada’s third-largest rodeo event, it consistently earns widespread praise within the pro rodeo circuit.
When booking our seats, we had the choice between being seated down low in the bleachers, where you were closer to the dirt and could almost feel the bull’s breath as they tried to buck off the offending rider, or a little higher in the grandstand where you had an eagles eye view and could more easily keep track of the Chucks as they loaded up their gear and raced around the track.
We chose the higher-up seating so we could easily see all the events. Even so, the up-close seating felt much more personal than being in the stands in Calgary; it offered all the same bareback riding, saddle bronc, bull riding, barrel racing, and team roping, but without the massive crowds.
The kids’ events were downright adorable. In Mutton Busting, little kids try to ride and stay on a galloping sheep, and then the Wild Pony Race, where teams of three children aged 8-12 work together to try and tame, mount, and ride a wild pony. There was also some pretty impressive trick riding like Roman riding (standing on the backs of two separate horses) and double hippodrome (two people standing on one horse). It was pure, priceless western entertainment.
After a quick break for refreshments and bathroom breaks, the scheduled activities started up again with the running of the bulls. It’s been going on at Strathmore since 2003, and it’s exactly like it sounds.
In three progressive rounds, 70 brave participants step into the dirt arena and await the gates to be opened. Next, wild, aggressive, and untamed bulls run around the ring chasing after the people. The objective is to stay close, gain the bulls’ attention, and put on a thrilling show without getting seriously injured.
Runners are scored by a panel of judges and fan applause, based on guts, showmanship, and crowd entertainment. It’s truly wild.
Last but not least, the chuck races, which are probably the most anticipated event of the whole rodeo.
Teams of horse and drivers are paired with outriders on horseback. The outriders toss ‘provisions’ into the back of the wagon, and the race is off. Wagons must execute a tight, figure-8 pattern around two designated barrels before they can burst out onto the main track where the real race happens. Being the first to cross the finish line doesn’t guarantee a win; teams can be penalized for things like knocking over a barrel, a wagon violation, or if an outrider finishes too far behind their wagon.
Overall, the rodeo portion of the Strathmore Stampede pretty much offers everything that the Calgary Stampede does on a smaller scale. It’s quaint, charming and offers full-on rodeo action with less traffic and smaller crowds.
Strathmore Rodeo is a more intimate, small-town experience without the heavy commercialization, huge lineups and premium price tags. This one is soundly stamped with a recommend.
📊 Scorecard
•Organization & Crowd Flow: 4.5/5
•Entertainment & Activities: 5/5
•Food & Vendor Variety: 4/5
•Ticket Value: 4/5
•⭐ Overall Rating: 4.5/5 Stars