10 Great Summer Rodeos and Country Fairs in Calgary

While we love the Calgary Stampede, sometimes the smaller set can feel a little trampled by the crowds. That doesn't mean that the kids can't get their rodeo on elsewhere. There are a whole range of smaller rodeos and county fairs that make for great day trips with the family. Here are some western adventures to enjoy this summer.

Parade meets slo-pitch tournament meets farmer's market, cattle show, live theatre and hot air balloon rides. A BBQ and pancake breakfast are sure to please tummies both big and small and the library book sale is perfect for picking up summer reads. This classic county fair has a little something for everyone (including a beer garden for mom and dad).

Take in some rustic fun right in Calgary's backyard. The Ranch Hand Competition takes place in the Rodeo Grounds just west of Airdrie, and lets your future farm hands get a taste of what life is like on a real ranch. The kids will get a kick out of the cattle trailer loading as will mom (read: just like loading the kids in the van), and they'll get their exercise during the calf scramble. Return to Airdrie in mid-August for their Fall Fair which offers everything from baking to kids' crafts, displays and all the other trappings you'd expect at a county fair event. Even better: the exhibitor competitions cover a wide range of categories and are open to all ages and people who live out of district. What better excuse to get growing or crafty with the kids?

If your idea of the old west includes the final frontier, then get your Trek on at the annual ode to the Enterprise in Vulcan. With a town filled with memorabilia related to the famous series, what more could your sci-fi fan want?

The third largest rodeo in the country, the Strathmore Stampede is actually ‘in' the country and much more manageable for the small set. With a great array of family activities, including the classic midway, zombie paintball, archery tag, and the ever-popular chuck wagon races, we're pretty sure the kids are going to be bursting to join in the Mutton Bustin' races. It's also home to the only ‘running with the bulls' event in Canada.

Take a trip into the quaint towns of Crowsnest Pass to enjoy unique activities. This year's theme, 'Stones and Bones' is celebrating the area's archaeological and paleontological history, and includes a modern day dino hunt, a Dinosaur Day Camp, an Old Time Miner's Picnic in the Belvue Underground Mine and guided walks and tours.

Why race out to a rodeo when you can enjoy one right at home? Heritage Park's Western Rodeo takes place right on the park's rodeo grounds, making for an exciting event in a smaller space with bull and bronc riding, mini-chuckwagons and other classic events.

Cheer on your favourite cowboys as they compete for the silver Bar U buckles, and get your giggles on watching the Wild Cow Milking at this national historic site in Longview.

Return to Heritage Park again for the Country Kickback days to let kids test out their roping skills, make farm dairy treats, test out their ranch hand talents, get their groove on at the barn dance and more. Be one of the first 500 arrive and start the day with a free pancake breakfast.

Bring ‘em straight to the source during the Alberta Open Farm Days. With participating farms all across the province, it's a great opportunity to get ‘backstage' with the farmers in order to really experience agriculture first hand (Read: a fresh shopping opportunity for mom with built-in entertainment.)

Just northwest of Calgary, Cochrane's Rodeo is a great intro for the smallest of the team. Entry is free for kids 12 and under, and the setting is far more intimate than the larger Calgary grounds. Be sure to head into town for ice cream at Mackay's after catching some of the action!