Cross-border politics take a backseat at 2025 Calgary Stampede
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American visitors and rodeo competitors alike at this year's Stampede say that they have received nothing but warm welcomes.
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Barrel racer Anita Ellis, who came all the way from Blackfoot, Idaho to compete, said that the Stampede stands out not only for the competitions, but for its atmosphere. She felt that tensions between countries didn't put any more pressure on her than normal as a competitor, and that the crowd didn't treat her any differently for her nationality.
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'The crowd was amazing. I feel like they love everyone the same. And my horse loves the crowd, so bring it,' she said.
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She brought along her daughter and said that once she's done competing, she and her family plan on experiencing the Stampede in full.
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'We're going to have to do everything available,' she laughed. '[Our daughter]'s not gonna let us not do things, so I'm sure we'll ride the rides and go to a concert – all the things.'
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Rodeo spectator Landon Burnett, whose family has roots in both countries, said that any sense of political friction feels distant on the Stampede grounds.
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'I haven't felt a lot of the tension. It feels good – I like coming up here to the Stampede, it's so much fun,' he said. 'I don't hear a lot of talk about it, at least in my circles.'
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First-time visitor Anne Adams shared a similar sentiment. Although she hasn't discussed the topic much with Canadians, Adams said many Americans are watching the relationship between countries with concern.
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'The people that I know really love Canada. They respect the country a lot,' she said. 'It's a beautiful country, and I'm really happy to be here. We'd hate to see the alliance between our countries suffer any long-term damage.'
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'I'm personally not a fan of the leadership we have right now. Most of the people I know really value our connection with Canada.'
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Having lived in large US cities like Chicago and Detroit, Adams said that the multicultural values she saw in Calgary had her impressed.
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