Alberta Calgary Stampede July 8 to 17
Yukon Yukon River Quest June 22 to 25
July has become synonymous with the Calgary Stampede in southern Alberta, an annual week- and-a-half-long rodeo, exhibition and festival that calls itself “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.” Holding the first one way back in 1912, more than 100,000 people visit the grounds each day to be a part of the excitement going on well into the later hours. Besides all the live entertainment, the Stampede has developed quite the reputation of serving an eclectic assortment of concession items from Louisiana gator bites to rainbow grilled cheese sandwiches. And don’t worry about opening up the wallet in the a.m. — Several businesses around the city continue the time-honoured tradition of serving up free pancake breakfasts.
Participants the world round annually descend upon the territory for the Yukon River Quest, touted as the “toughest and most alluring marathon paddling race,” which is a 715 kilometre aquatic journey beginning in Whitehorse and ending in Dawson City. Solo and tandem canoes and kayaks, stand- up paddle boards, and bigger canoes are all invited, and a Half Quest is offered too. The Yukon River passes through Five First Nations on the route — Kwanlin Dun, Ta’an Kwachan Council, Little Salmon/Carmacks, Selkirk, and Trondek Hwechin — and the race honours their culture and those who have lived off the water and nurtured it for centuries. Not ready to take the plunge just yet? Help cheer on the teams at the start or finish line.
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