Pearl Tsang, Host of CTV’s IN Touch
View the Pearl Tsang: 4 Ways to Stampede Video
My Calgary Stampede is…
Not just about the rodeo. It is so much more. It brings the city together and wakes the city up. It’s 10 days of absolute fun and mayhem, albeit controlled mayhem.
The Calgary Stampede means…
Well, it used to mean work — I used to work for the Calgary Herald as their society columnist, which means I was at every party, every lunch, every barbecue, every corporate event. I did that for three years. This year, it means bringing the Zipper back. I’ve loved that ride ever since I was tall enough to go on it, but now I can’t find people to go on it with me. This year, I’ll make it happen.
During the 10 days, I never miss…
Sneak-A-Peek night. It’s a tradition of mine and a few of my cousins and I go, and have gone every year since we were little. Off the grounds, I try to make it to the Wildhorse Saloon at least once, and the First Energy party. And I also have to make it into the Big Four for my Smashed Potato. It’s a baked potato that they put between two pieces of waxed paper, and take this ginormous mallet, and they let you smash it. Then, they pick it up, and put it in this paper dish, open it, and it’s a squishy potato that you now spread all your cheese, chili, sour cream, etc. on. Delicious.
Stampede fashion should…
Be fitted. When I think of Stampede style, two images pop in to my mind: The “bootylicious” cowgirls — scantily clad with the short denim skirts. That’s not conducive to proper Stampeding! On the flip side, there are the oversized cowboy shirts, big hats, shiny boots, women with the long oversized skirts and jeans that are too long. To me, fit is a huge issue. And there is a fashion-forward middle ground. I have a pair of Wranglers I only pull out during Stampede, which I got hemmed, and I wear them with my vintage cowboy boots that were actually given to me by my mother. All the tops are slim-fit, and I top it off with a good hat I splurged on at Lammle’s. As far as guys go, I think guys look great with the cut-off sleeves and the tighter jeans. If you go to the rodeo, the cowboys look really good in their jeans. They’re worn and a little tighter — they can’t wear a baggy jean when they’re on a bull!
My favourite Stampede memory…
Is seeing the Grandstand Show for the first time in 2002. I was blown away. I didn’t know we had that kind of talent and capacity to pull of a show like that. Amazing.
If This is You, Don’t Miss:
The Midway: Scream to go faster on almost 40 major rides, including the Zipper. cs.calgarystampede.com
Acrobatic Ice Show: Join Canada’s skating stars, including Elvis Stojko, Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, with Cirque-style acrobats for this high-energy show. cs.calgarystampede.com
Night at Wildhorse Saloon: Located at 4th Street and 6th Avenue S.W., this is party central during Stampede. wildhorsesaloon.ca
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