Calgary Stampede will go on.
CALGARY — The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth has survived 101 years — including two World Wars and a Great Depression — without being cancelled.
On Monday morning, Bob Thompson, president and chairman of the Calgary Stampede Board, said the 10-day extravaganza will open on July 5 “come hell or high water.”
“In 11 days from now on July 5, we will proudly open the gates of Stampede 101,” said Thompson. “Over the past four days we have experienced the strong hand of Mother Nature and the very best of our resilient and spirited community.
“Throughout our entire history, we have never cancelled a show despite two wars and a Great Depression; 2013 will be no exception. We have witnessed families coming together, neighbours coming together and community coming together.
“Even as we are challenged with the cleanup, we are looking forward to hosting our guests with a place to pause, to join their family and friends and celebrate community pride.”
Thompson said the Stampede has been working 24 hours a day to clean up the park and put on the best show it can “under these challenging circumstances.”
“We have pumped millions of gallons of water from our facilities, scraped the mud from our tarmac, commenced the clean up of our park, all to welcome guests from around the world,” Thompson said.
“Last year the theme of our Centennial was ‘We are Greatest Together.’ A year later, this motto could not be more true. We are greatest together and we will be hosting the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth come hell or high water.”
Stampede CEO Vern Kimball said the organization is doing whatever it take to be ready for July 5.
“The job of cleaning and restoring our buildings and facilities including the racetrack and infield is monumental.” Kimball said. “Once that’s completed we’re going to run a concentrated version of Stampede set up and infrastructure installation.”
He said nothing has been eliminated so far from the regular Stampede program, nor is there anything to suggest the Saddledome won’t be ready for concerts and other activities.
“We’ve had offers of help from Edmonton, Toronto and even from places as far away as Missouri, California and Texas,” Kimball said.
Kimball said the cost of the cleanup isn’t known.
Bruce Graham, president and chief executive of Calgary Economic Development, said the fact the Stampede is going ahead is “incredibly symbolic and it speaks to the determination of Calgarians.”
“It’s fantastic they’ve committed to making that happen and I think in 10 days’ time we’re going to need to step back and celebrate what we’ve come through and what we accomplished … .”