And…they’re off!

Oh My Goodness!  Chuck wagon racing was exciting, to say the least.  This was a first experience for many of us.  Four teams first line up around their particular numbered barrel.  When each is in place the automatic buzzer activates the GO alert (a team in the last heat couldn’t settle down—race horses being race horses wanted to RUN—so they had to go out and come back in and line up all over again), then the driver whistles and they are off.  FAST…and around the whole track they go.  Hooves thundering, dirt flying, and the ground shaking:

And the finish line is that pole, center stage edge…all automated.  And the crowd goes wild:

Here is a taste of the beginning of the Rangeland Derby:

The TransAlta Grandstand Show after the races was beyond awesome.  The stage was brought out from just beyond the track, then entertainment began that literally rocked the stadium from beginning to the final blasts of the evening!

This stage is the most technically advanced and largest outdoor production facility in the WORLD.  And the entertainment just rocked on:

The annual Calgary Stampede, “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth,” was 100 years old in 2012, and is truly the granddaddy of all rodeos.  Put this on your bucket list.

Happy Sunday, everyone!