Calgary Stampede 2009 Thread

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by Vascilli

That's a shame, because rabbits are probably the pinnacle of life and everything that's ever existed.

Originally Posted by ummagumma66

actually that would be a llama.

The battle begins...there can be only one.

I am pretty sure you could walk over to Ramsay and take in the fireworks from up on Scottsmans hill. I seriously doubt they are going to stop you on foot from going up to the park to enjoy it.

[mersar]

Originally Posted by freeweed

Sadly this is almost impossible. Not only is the parking very strictly enforced by the city (due to the residents' demands) year-round, during Stampede they actually have police (off duty?) controlling access in and out of the area. Yes, you actually get stopped at a blockade and have to prove you live there before you can drive in.

Not sure if it's changed but this is what we ran into a couple of years ago. Also not sure how feasible it would be to park further away and walk in - do they do the "papers please!" act for pedestrians?

They only enforce it for vehicles to my knowledge, heres the media release with the rules the city put out yesterday for this year:

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CITYBEAT - CITY OF CALGARY PRESS RELEASE
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Please be advised that in accordance with the Ramsay Event Management Plan, the only access points into the Ramsay Community west of Spiller Road S.E. and 8 Street S.E. during the Calgary Stampede (July 3 to July 12, 2009) are as follows:

• Burns Avenue S.E. at Spiller Road S.E.
• Bellevue Avenue S.E. and Maggie Street S.E. at MacDonald Avenue S.E.

Residents and guests who require access to the area affected by the access control must have either a permanent Residential Parking Sticker affixed to their vehicles or a Residential Parking Hang Tag (Pass) to gain entry through these access points between the hours of 4:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. from Monday to Sunday.

Please note that parking stickers or hang tags are required to park in the area affected by the access control and are valid in both “No Parking Except by Permit D” and “1 Hour” parking zones. Any vehicles not displaying either of these permits will be subject to parking fines.

All other entrances into the Ramsay Community from the west side of Spiller Road S.E. and 8 Street S.E. will be closed with temporary fixed (cement) barricades to all traffic during these times.

[freeweed]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

I am pretty sure you could walk over to Ramsay and take in the fireworks from up on Scottsmans hill. I seriously doubt they are going to stop you on foot from going up to the park to enjoy it.

I seriously doubted I'd ever see a temporary gated community in Calgary during Stampede, but here we are...

You're probably right though. Not sure how far away you'd have to park and walk though, the restricted driving area covers a good amount of land. Personally I've found the fireworks are interesting enough just sitting on the steps of the Saddledome.

[Bokimon]

anybody know if the snowbirds or the CF18s are going to be doing flybys like last year?
The parade is on right now. Well almost finishing..

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by Bokimon

anybody know if the snowbirds or the CF18s are going to be doing flybys like last year?
The parade is on right now. Well almost finishing..

I believe 2 CF-18's did the flyby around 9am.

[Tarsus]

Did anyone go to the Parade? I was considering it, but having to get down there at 6:00am to get a spot is too early for this non-morning person.

[Tarsus]

Originally Posted by Vascilli

That's a shame, because rabbits are probably the pinnacle of life and everything that's ever existed.

Bit Pigs make the world go around! Just wait till they start flying, then you'll really see!

[mersar]

And now the Humane Society of Canada is starting with its 'end the stampede' crying for this year, starting with complaining to the CRTC that the airing of stampede events on TV is against the rules that the TV stations must abide by (claiming its a glamorization of cruelty to animals). They tried the same tactic a couple years back, but supposedly the CRTC managed to lose all the evidence that was submitted.

[Vascilli]

Originally Posted by freeweed

Mine is the pinnacle of being a naughty bastard and refusing to go back in his cage, and also refusing to be held for us to cut his claws.

Not that I'm excessively scratched tonight or anything.

I point and laugh. (And want to see this bugger)

Originally Posted by Tills13

One year, I'm going to skip the show and park my car up on the hill behind Stampede park and watch the Fireworks from up there. (I'm not sure what the district is called)

Oh, and the mini-donuts are still the best part of Stampede.

Thankfully I know someone who lives in Ramsay so I can go chill with them. They have (had?) a party every year during Stampede and the view is awesome.


Tips for mini doughnut fatties:
-Don't ask for plain ones. Why? They suck. And they're a pain in the ass to get into the bags and it takes forever.
-Give correct change. One bag for $3.50 and two for $5 is simple, but make it easier.
-If there are no doughnuts left, wait. I can't shit them out cooked and sugared. Be glad you're getting fresh ones.
-If you want a lot, come to me. My stand is near the Saddledome and beside a turkey place. I'm 16 (Look for a young, dashing man) with brown hair and rectangular glasses. There's at least one other guy who would also fit that description, so when in doubt ask. How will this get you more donuts? See the next tip.
-We track inventory with bags. If a bag is used, then there has to be money in the till to cover it. How many doughnuts go into the bag is another story. Sure you pay for 13, but don't be surprised if you get more. And if you come to me and let me know that you know me, you'll get a lot more. We won't get in trouble either, as long as you pay for the bags.
-We have moist towelettes if you ask.
-Give me money.

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by Vascilli

Tips for mini doughnut fatties:
-Don't ask for plain ones. Why? They suck. And they're a pain in the ass to get into the bags and it takes forever.
-Give correct change. One bag for $3.50 and two for $5 is simple, but make it easier.
-If there are no doughnuts left, wait. I can't shit them out cooked and sugared. Be glad you're getting fresh ones.
-If you want a lot, come to me. My stand is near the Saddledome and beside a turkey place. I'm 16 (Look for a young, dashing man) with brown hair and rectangular glasses. There's at least one other guy who would also fit that description, so when in doubt ask. How will this get you more donuts? See the next tip.
-We track inventory with bags. If a bag is used, then there has to be money in the till to cover it. How many doughnuts go into the bag is another story. Sure you pay for 13, but don't be surprised if you get more. And if you come to me and let me know that you know me, you'll get a lot more. We won't get in trouble either, as long as you pay for the bags.
-We have moist towelettes if you ask.
-Give me money.

Thanks for the Pro-tips Vascilli! When I hit the grounds I'll make sure to come by your stand to hook up those little pieces of heaven.

[Ramsayfarian]

Originally Posted by freeweed

Sadly this is almost impossible. Not only is the parking very strictly enforced by the city (due to the residents' demands) year-round, during Stampede they actually have police (off duty?) controlling access in and out of the area. Yes, you actually get stopped at a blockade and have to prove you live there before you can drive in.

Not sure if it's changed but this is what we ran into a couple of years ago. Also not sure how feasible it would be to park further away and walk in - do they do the "papers please!" act for pedestrians?

The district is called Ramsay and yes you have to be a resident to gain access. The gates are usually staffed by the Calgary Parking Authority.

Your best bet is to park at Ramsay school on Spiller Road. It's $20 for the day and I think $10 after 8:30pm. The proceeds go to the school. That's where the shiny new playground came from. From the school, it's just a short hike up the hill.

The checkpoints are badly needed, when it was a free for all, Ramsay turned into a massive parking lot. Not sure what it is about fireworks, but they seem to cause the mouth breathers to honk their horns for hours after wards.

[freeweed]

Originally Posted by Ramsayfarian

Your best bet is to park at Ramsay school on Spiller Road. It's $20 for the day and I think $10 after 8:30pm. The proceeds go to the school. That's where the shiny new playground came from. From the school, it's just a short hike up the hill.

That's actually a really cool idea. I may have to check that out if we do drive in - I'd much rather my money go to a good cause and not some property management company sitting on vacant land for no good reason. I wish many more parking lots would do that during Stampede.

Don't know if I'd be arsed to actually hoof it up for the fireworks though - you're right about the mouth breathers. Most of them are pretty damned drunk by the end of it, so driving home becomes akin to Death Race 2000. Calgary roads after about 10pm during Stampede are "interesting" to say the least. Combine that with all the visitors and it's a real treat for a week or so.

I wonder what the Park and Rides have been like during Stampede this year. With Crowfoot there's a lot more parking in the NW now, but with no fee...

[Ramsayfarian]

Originally Posted by freeweed

That's actually a really cool idea. I may have to check that out if we do drive in - I'd much rather my money go to a good cause and not some property management company sitting on vacant land for no good reason. I wish many more parking lots would do that during Stampede.

Don't know if I'd be arsed to actually hoof it up for the fireworks though - you're right about the mouth breathers. Most of them are pretty damned drunk by the end of it, so driving home becomes akin to Death Race 2000. Calgary roads after about 10pm during Stampede are "interesting" to say the least. Combine that with all the visitors and it's a real treat for a week or so.

I wonder what the Park and Rides have been like during Stampede this year. With Crowfoot there's a lot more parking in the NW now, but with no fee...

The entrance to the parking lot is on 23rd ave. The school rents out the paved lot to O&G companies for mega cash. For $20 you only get to park on the school field.

One of the best spots to watch the fireworks is at the bottom of Scottsman Hill, along side the Elbow, directly across from where the fireworks are launched. It's like you're standing in the middle of the show. It's loud and intense and maybe a little dangerous. Last couple of years, they've had security preventing access, but I don't know if that was because that part of the bike path was closed or if that's S.O.P now. I might check it out tomorrow and report back.

[mersar]

Originally Posted by freeweed

I wonder what the Park and Rides have been like during Stampede this year. With Crowfoot there's a lot more parking in the NW now, but with no fee...

Well parade day is usually an anomaly, but yesterday at Crowfoot all the south lots were pretty full in the morning, I ended up parking in the west lot which was about 1/2 full at 9:30am and the south-most lot was probably 90%. Brentwood looked to be pretty full as well, fuller then most days but not 100%.

[Vascilli]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

Thanks for the Pro-tips Vascilli! When I hit the grounds I'll make sure to come by your stand to hook up those little pieces of heaven.

My next shift starts tomorrow at 5pm. If in doubt, ask for Eric.

[freeweed]

Originally Posted by Vascilli

My next shift starts tomorrow at 5pm. If in doubt, ask for Eric.

Guess it wasn't you that I snagged donuts from earlier this evening. Either way, if you look anything like the other guy, you make me feel ooooold. Time for an almost midlife crisis, methinks.

Stampede was interesting today. A lot quieter than I expected overall (combine bad forecast with recession?) but wow - were the drunks ever out in force. Guys were staggering around the place by 6pm, and girls started giving me the vacant stare long before it even hinted at being dark. We went to the Stampede Casino afterwards and a young guy was being loaded into an ambulance. He was having quite the animated discussion with his buddy; clearly he was pissed to the gills and had taken the wrong end of a fight.

Stampede, and downtown in general, has more cops than I've ever seen in this city, bar none.

Do recessions just bring out the worst in people, or what? During the boom we saw a lot of excessive behaviour but it seems to have taken a dark turn. People certainly didn't come off as happily drunk this year - I heard a LOT of yelling/arguing/whatever. Guys and girls fighting, guys yelling at each other, just a bad scene. Maybe it was the soggy weather but I dunno. Just had a very different vibe this year.

The cattle penning was fun as expected, at least. Rocktagon looked extremely lame.

[Ramsayfarian]

Originally Posted by freeweed

I seriously doubted I'd ever see a temporary gated community in Calgary during Stampede, but here we are...

I noticed yesterday that Elrton also restricts access to their community. The area the burnt down is off limits to the unwashed.

[kap384]

Originally Posted by mersar

Well parade day is usually an anomaly, but yesterday at Crowfoot all the south lots were pretty full in the morning, I ended up parking in the west lot which was about 1/2 full at 9:30am and the south-most lot was probably 90%. Brentwood looked to be pretty full as well, fuller then most days but not 100%.

By 11:00, all the Crowfoot lots were full, even the little west lot you parked in mersar.

[lineman]

Originally Posted by freeweed

Do recessions just bring out the worst in people, or what? During the boom we saw a lot of excessive behaviour but it seems to have taken a dark turn. People certainly didn't come off as happily drunk this year - I heard a LOT of yelling/arguing/whatever. Guys and girls fighting, guys yelling at each other, just a bad scene. Maybe it was the soggy weather but I dunno. Just had a very different vibe this year.

The cattle penning was fun as expected, at least. Rocktagon looked extremely lame.

I haven't been to the Stampede in a couple of years, but the noticeable presence of loser-pissed idiots mouthing each other off this time around is a turn-off.

[Vascilli]

Originally Posted by freeweed

The cattle penning was fun as expected, at least. Rocktagon looked extremely lame.

That entire exhibit was pretty lame. A few terrible booths, a bunch of chairs and couches, some Bell dummy phones, and a few Lenovo T61s to demonstrate their internet or something. It's a sad little place.

My next shift is tomorrow at 4pm. I'll probably finish close to midnight. Our stand is very close to the Midway Circus, maybe that's a better description.