Stampede offers free admission hours as attendance drops drastically
Posted Jul 16, 2016 3:19 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
It appears the recent wet weather and the recession in Calgary are taking a toll on attendance at this year’s Calgary Stampede.
On Friday, 81,733 visitor went through the turnstiles. That’s down almost 55,000 from the same day a year ago, despite the reduced entrance fee of $5 from 5-7 p.m. The discount was first offered on Thursday and extended for another day.
So far this year 826,527 people visited the grounds. Overall attendance is down by just over 84,000 from 2015.
With only one more full day to take in the event, Calgary Stampede is offering free admission from 10 a.m. until noon on Sunday. The park is opening an hour early, and so are all the vendors and rides, including the WestJet Sky Ride, which is free to the public all day.
“The Calgary community has been so supportive of the Stampede and we really want to say thank you to the community for riding side by side with us,” President and Chairman of the Board Bill Gray said in a statement. “Our community showed up with enthusiasm, rain or shine, and we hope to make their smiles bright and their memories sunny with a special Final Sunday for our community.”
Guests will also get half price standing tickets to the Rodeo and Evening Show on Sunday. Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis in person beginning at 10 a.m. from the Ticket Office on Stampede Park.
