Calgary proudly bears the nickname “Cowtown,” and rightly so, as the Calgary Stampede is one of the biggest and most storied PRCA events. Celebrating its 98th anniversary in 2010, the tenday, citywide Stampede attracts 1 million visitors each year and is a snapshot of the Canadian West.

Hosting approximately 400,000 visitors in 2009, Cheyenne Frontier Days (CFD) welcomed travelers from all 50 states, plus Japan, Korea, Australia, Canada, England, France, Germany, and Austria. Early risers can watch the free timed event slack rodeo, where overflow contestants compete to set the mark for the main rodeo performances.