PIX: Action-packed centenary of Calgary Stampede Rodeo

The Calgary Stampede is a ten-day annual rodeo festival held every year in Calgary, Canada. The festival is said to attract over a million visitors every year. 

The event features rodeos, a parade, stage shows, competitions and much more. The event dates back to 1886 when the Calgary and district agricultural society held its first fair.

American promoter Guy Weadick organised his first rodeo and festival, known as the Stampede. He returned to Calgary in 1919 to organise the Victory Stampede in honour of soldiers returning from World War I.

Check out these fantastic photographs of the festival.

Wes Stevenson of Lubbock, Texas loses his hat as he rides the horse Hurricane Terry in the bareback event during the 100th anniversary of the Calgary Stampede Rodeo in Calgary, Alberta

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Tanner Milan of Cochrane, Alberta wrestles a steer in the Steer Wrestling event during the 100th anniversary of the Calgary Stampede Rodeo in Calgary, Alberta.

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Jerome Schneeberger of Ponca City, Oklahoma, tosses a calf in the Tie-Down roping event during the 100th anniversary of the Calgary Stampede Rodeo in Calgary, Alberta.

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Ty Pozzobon of Merritt, British Columbia, gets tossed by the bull Smoke And A Pancake in the Bull Riding event during the 100th anniversary of the Calgary Stampede Rodeo in Calgary.

Jacob O'Mara of Prairieville, Louisiana gets thrown off the bull Zen Master in the Bull Riding event during the 100th anniversary of the Calgary Stampede Rodeo in Calgary.

Kaycee Feild of Elk Ridge, Utah dives into the mud after he won the Bareback event on the horse Nelly Kelly to win $100,000 during the finals at the 100th Anniversary of the Calgary Stampede Rodeo in Calgary.

Jamie Laboucane (R) of GE Oil & Gas Artificial Lifts races Obrey Motowylo of H & E Oilfield Services Ltd. to the finish line during the Rangeland Derby Chuckwagon final day at the 100th Anniversary of the Calgary Stampede Rodeo in Calgary, Alberta.

Jason Glass of Shaw GMC Chevrolet Buick is covered in mud after the Rangeland Derby Chuckwagon finals at the 100th Anniversary of the Calgary Stampede Rodeo in Calgary, Alberta, July 15, 2012. Troy Dorchester of Fireside of Cochrane won the race.

A tradition pancake breakfast during the 100th anniversary of the Calgary Stampede in Calgary, Alberta. Over the course of 10 days there are numerous pancake breakfasts all across the city.

Claire Sun from China milks a cow during the 100th anniversary of the Calgary Stampede in Calgary, Alberta. The annual Calgary Stampede, billed as the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth attracts thousands of visitors and bring over 300 million dollars into the community every year according to local media reports.

Bobby Mote of Culver, Oregon rides the bucking horse Licorice Baby in the bareback event during the 100th anniversary of the Calgary Stampede Rodeo in Calgary, Alberta.

Pieter Demooy from British Columbia shears a sheep in the annual sheep shearing contest during the 100th anniversary of the Calgary Stampede in Calgary, Alberta.

A woman tries on a Smithbilt cowboy hat during the 100th anniversary of the Calgary Stampede in Calgary, Alberta.

Trevor Knowles of Mt Vernon, Oregon, hauls down a steer in the steer wrestling event during the 100th anniversary of the Calgary Stampede Rodeo in Calgary, Alberta.

Liam Kirkness gets ready for the start of the annual Stampede parade during the 100th anniversary of the Calgary Stampede in Calgary, Alberta.

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