Top 10 Reasons You Should Come To Calgary This August
#10) Find your inner cowboy.
While the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth runs this year from July 4 - 13, there's never a better excuse to giddy-up like a cowboy than a visit to the Stampede city. If you're a closet cowpoke at heart, pack your cowboy hat, boots and the biggest belt buckle you can find. And don't forget The 2nd Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth , Calgary's massive Co-ed Ultimate Tournament Ho-Down and Slo-Down, June 28 & 29! Yeeehaw!
#9) Graceful Acrobatics, Stunning Acting
Cirque du Soleil has announced its return to Calgary after a four-year absence, presenting their latest touring show, Corteo, which will run in Calgary from July 31 through to August 17, 2008. Corteo, which means “cortege” in Italian, is a joyous procession, a festive parade imagined by a clown. The show brings together the passion of the actor with the grace and power of the acrobat to plunge the audience into a theatrical world of fun, comedy, and spontaneity situated in a mysterious space between heaven and earth.
#8) We've got lions and tigers and bears. Oh my!
While you're here, why not spend an afternoon at the Calgary Zoo? The newest addition to the Zoo crew is a sting ray exhibit. You can even pet them. Now, who wouldn't want to pet a sting ray?
#7) Off with a bang!
GlobalFest, a week-long event celebrating Calgary’s cultural diversity and artistic excellence, will run August 15--23. Featuring the always popular international fireworks competition and a wide range of events and activities at pavilions throughout the city, celebrating more than 60 different cultures has never been such a “blast!”
#6) Zip a little here, Zorb a little there...
Canada Olympic Park is branching out from its orginal purpose of hosting many of the events of the 1988 Olympic Games. Calgary's highest vantage point, the 90 metre Ski Jump Tower at the Park, now hosts a Zipline that is 500 metres long with a vertical drop of more than 100 metres. And new to the park this summer is Zorbing -- this involves you getting strapped into a life-size opaque ball (1 or 2 people), and being sent to flip and slip as the ball rolls down the lower part of the hill. Does petting a sting ray sound more appealing than either of these options? See Reason #8.
#5) The Rhythm Is Gonna Get You
Calgary’s Hottest Festival, Expo Latino celebrates its 12th Anniversary at Prince’s Island Park August 22-24, 2008. Featuring world renown Latin performers igniting the stage with music and dancing from sunrise to sunset. Whether sampling exotic foods, discovering unique artifacts in the Art Market, or taking a sizzling spin on our giant dance floor, Expo Latino has something for everyone.
#4) All the world 's a stage, and all the men and women merely (ultimate?) players.
This year marks a milestone for one of Calgary’s most popular and anticipated outdoor summer theatre festivals. As Mount Royal College’s Shakespeare in the Park (SITP) celebrates its 20th anniversary, more than half a million Calgarians and visitors from all walks of life will have enjoyed the works of the Bard in an outdoor setting. The Mayor has even proclaimed August as "Shakespeare in the Park Awareness Month"!
#3) Dinner's on us.
Well, we'll at least provide you with some suggestions of where to go. Calgary's cuisine scene has something to offer every taste and craving. We've got everything from steakhouses to sushi restaurants. To help you choose, check out some of these fine downtown establishments.
#2) It only takes an hour to escape.
The Rocky Mountains are barely an hour's drive away. In fact, you can even see their snow-capped peaks from our fields at the Calgary Rugby Union. Head out to the mountains for a getaway of camping, hiking, biking, kayaking...you name it, and it's out there for you to discover.
......and the number one reason to come to Calgary this August......
#1) The Ultimate here is going to be awesome.
That's right, your number one reason to hit Cowtown this summer is of course, CUC2008!! We're hoping to make this year's championship the most memorable yet. Help us out by joining in the fun.
For other adventure ideas for before and/or after the tournament, please visit Tourism Calgary and Travel Alberta.
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