Now that summer is here, the sun is shining, and the month of July is approaching, Calgarians are looking forward to the Calgary Stampede! While most of us are familiar with the Stampede, we might not know the interesting history behind this popular event. A recent study by CBC Calgary revealed some rarely known, intriguing facts about the Stampede.
- The founder was an American vaudeville performer.
You would assume that the Calgary Stampede, being the world’s largest rodeo, would be started by an individual of prairie origin. However, Guy Weadick, the founder of the Stampede was from Rochester, New York. In 1885, Rochester was a bustling urban centre.
However, even in Rochester, cowboys in pop culture, were extremely popular. Although the Old West culture was fading, the tales of it were still alive. This way, Weadick headed west to the Great Plains to catch a glimpse of this cowboy culture for himself. Here, he found himself ranch work, and developed skills, performing rope tricks.
Having immersed himself in the West’s cowboy culture, Weadick moved to Calgary with a big dream.
2. Weadick’s pitch was initially rejected
Weadick’s big plan was to put on an international rodeo featuring the best! With huge cash prizes! And crowds from all over the world! Weadick wanted the fading Old West culture on display. Weadick also believed that such an event would be a good boost for the community’s profile.
However, the local business community was reluctant to sponsor this event. Weadick chronicler Donna Livingstone in her book, The Cowboy Spirit, wrote “Most of the business community though that the idea was too big for Calgary.” As well, they felt that the idea of a rodeo, and bringing back the days of the Old West would be hindering Alberta’s progress into a urbanizing city. During that time, Calgary had been the first city in Alberta to get a public library, and plans were being made to start a subway.
A rodeo was not the way to go.
Soon, however, word of Weadick’s plan got to four influential ranchers who were willing to chip in $25,000. They wanted one last cheer for the fading pioneer age.
3. The cheer wasn’t ‘Yeehaw!’
Whenever we think of a Stampede cheer, we think of either ‘Yeehaw’ or ‘Yahoo.’ Back in the day, however, it was neither of those. An early promotion for the Stampede, however, featured a very different cheer.
The cheer was “Whoop-eee-eee-eee.”
This year, if you go to the Stampede, you will be aware of its rather peculiar history.
Also, don’t forget to say “Whoop-eee-eee-eee!”
Source:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/first-stampede-history-weadick-royals-rodeo-1.6899081
