Stampede in the HEAT!!!!

Today was one for the books! We kicked off our adventure at the Calgary Stampede, where the energy was infectious and the cowboy hats were out in full force. It was hot, hot, hot, but we all kept our water bottles on us. The grounds were buzzing with music, laughter, and the smell of cotton candy in the air. From the moment we stepped in, it was a whirlwind of excitement.

First stop: the motocross stunt show. We watched in awe as the riders launched into the air, flipping and spinning their bikes like gravity didn’t exist. The crowd went wild with every trick, and a few of us couldn’t help but cheer extra loud during the finale when three riders launched into synchronized backflips. It was like watching real-life superheroes in action.

Then came the rides. Some of us braved the towering rollercoasters and spinning pendulums, while others took it slow on the Ferris wheel to get a bird’s-eye view of the entire Stampede. Between the flashing lights and the non-stop music, it felt like a carnival dream come to life.

Of course, Stampede food never disappoints. We sampled deep-fried Oreos, poutine, mini donuts, corn dogs, and even pickle lemonade! Everyone had their own favorite, but we all agreed that eating while walking around and laughing with friends made everything taste better.

After a jam-packed afternoon, we headed to Boston Pizza to wind down and fill up. Giant plates of pasta, and ice cold water hit the spot after a long day. But the best part was still to come.

Just as dessert arrived, we surprised Louise with a birthday celebration! The lights dimmed, and the whole camp stood up, each group singing “Happy Birthday” in their own language. English, French, Spanish, Korean, Mandarin, German, and more echoed around the restaurant. Louise was overjoyed.

It was the perfect end to a perfect day: adrenaline, food, friends, and a reminder that no matter where we’re from, we know how to celebrate together.