‘It’s pricey’: Visitors weigh costs at Calgary Stampede

The increased cost of living hasn’t stopped these Canadians from visiting the Calgary Stampede, but they’re keeping a strict budget. Kathy Le reports.

As thousands flock to the Calgary Stampede, many are finding ways to keep costs down, taking advantage of free admission, setting spending limits and choosing carefully where to splurge as higher prices continue to squeeze household budgets.

Jessica Zielke was among those who arrived early Sunday to take advantage of Family Day, when admission was free for several hours in the morning — a savings of nearly $30 per person.

“If you want a whole-day pass, if you wanted to go into the rodeo, if you wanted to do the grandstand, if you want to do all of the rides and the food for a family of four, you would have to spend, I would say, $1,000,” she said.

Visiting the Stampede for the first time with her five-year-old daughter, Chloe, Zielke said they planned to spend most of the day enjoying free attractions, including the barns, horses, the dog show and children’s activities.

“Personally, I budgeted $50 because that’s what I had,” she said. “I’m going to stick to my budget.”

For Zielke, stretching the family budget means making trade-offs, both at the Stampede and beyond. Along with taking advantage of free admission and free attractions, she said her family won’t be travelling this summer because of the economy.

Those decisions reflect a broader trend. A recent CIBC poll found that 65 per cent of Canadians are prioritizing saving over spending this summer, while nearly eight in 10 (79 per cent) have changed their spending habits because of rising everyday expenses. Four in 10 (39 per cent) plan to travel this summer, but most of those trips (69 per cent) will stay close to home or within Canada. Thirty-two per cent said rising costs have made them less likely to travel.

Shila Zummack is making similar trade-offs. Visiting from Swift Current, Sask., she said she and her husband also aren’t travelling this summer, choosing instead to make the Stampede their getaway.

Even then, they’ve set limits on what they’ll spend. Each gets to choose one item to splurge on.

Zummack’s choice was a $35 turkey leg, which she said was worth it.

“For sure. I have wanted this since I was a young kid coming to the Stampede,” she said.

Other visitors were also weighing cost against curiosity.

Arvin Espanar paid $20 for a watermelon drink.

“$20. It’s kind of expensive, but, oh well, it’s worth a try, right?” he said.

To make room in his budget, he said he’ll stick to less expensive food for the rest of the day.

“Fries or hot dogs because usually they’re cheap, like $10 or $15.”

Kaitlynn McHale-Dobbs and James Smith, who travelled from B.C. to celebrate McHale-Dobbs’ birthday, opted for a $17 taco in a bag.

“It’s pricey,” McHale-Dobbs said.

“I think it’s filling, though,” Smith added.

Toby Happychuck, who purchased two drinks served in souvenir boot cups, said the hit to her wallet was significant.

“Oh, it’s heavy for the two. It’s 50 bucks. It’s crazy,” she said.

Despite the high costs on the midway, Calgary Stampede officials say visitors don’t have to spend heavily to enjoy the grounds.

“Plan ahead for one splurge on the midway. Maybe look ahead and see, ‘You know what? I really, really want to try the crunchy critter corn in a cup or something crazy.’ So plan ahead just for that one splurge and then just know where the other options are for cheaper options,” said Julie Forget, media relations manager for the Calgary Stampede.

She noted guests are welcome to bring their own food and reusable water bottles.

“Honestly, if you come on a free day, you don’t have to spend a dime. You are allowed to bring in food. You are allowed to bring in your own water bottles.”

Visitors aren’t the only ones adjusting to higher costs. Some vendors say they’re also trying to strike a balance between rising expenses and keeping prices within reach.

Casey Knight, owner of Smoothie Shoppe, said his business has worked to keep smoothies priced at about $9 despite rising operating costs. The business won the Calgary Stampede’s Best Value Award in 2023.

“Calgary Stampede is already so expensive. To be able to come and get something that you can enjoy at a reasonable price really matters to us,” Knight said.

Knight, whose business travels to fairs and festivals across Western Canada, said the cost of supplies has climbed sharply.

“It’s frustrating for us because our personal prices have skyrocketed with cups and fruit and everything that we put into the smoothies,” he said.

“But we don’t want to just pass that along because that just makes it difficult for everybody.”

While prices have increased modestly, Knight said keeping the product affordable remains a priority.

“We need to raise a little bit just so that we can also afford to live. But we do try to keep it low.”