100th Stampede - A Rainy Afternoon on the Grounds

Well we finally made it down to Stampede but we picked the rainiest day of all! So it was a whirlwind and we didn't get nearly as much in as we would have liked. So next year we should plan for two days at least!

Getting out of the rain to check out the police car

My Cowboys!

Waiting for Tails to start

 Did you go to Stampede? Did you get to see Tails? I thought it was really good (for a free show) but maybe 15min too long. I find often these shows try to fit into a nice neat time space when really they should just go with what suits the story best. I hope the Stampede continues to do something like it in the future because it really fit well with what I think the Stampede is all about.

Checking out the Chopper

Maybe he will grow up to serve his country?

with the Tanker (note NOT a tank a TANKER, I made that mistake at dinner the night before!)

The zip line (another thing I hope they keep) and the bad weather!

Who doesn't like to meet a horse?

trying to pull it!

meeting a foal

both Daddy and Grady had to check out the tractor

maybe he'll grow up to farm?

"riding" a horse on the great new sculpture

first corn dog!

checking out the hogs

 After our day at the grounds we paid $10 for Grady to not win a toy and leave sad :( in time for Grandma and Grandpa to pick him up so we could stick around to volunteer as cheerleaders for the SNC Chuckwagon. Next year? No carnival games and maybe we'll get some actual seats for the Chucks so Grady can watch too!

SNC's Executive Vice President presenting the safety award to the driver who had the least amount of penalties and who also incidentally won the whole shebang!

Just as it was time for the final heat the weather gods smiled on us!

 It was VERY wet for the Chuckwagons but we handed out flags and t-shirts all the same and cheered on the drivers. I wouldn't ever get rush tickets though as I spent the whole time trying to watch it one the jumbotron through everyone's umbrellas.

This pic is mostly for Grady, but it was nice to see them light up the flame for the final night!