History
Western Showcase
Calgary Exhibition and Stampede
Western Showcase, located in Halls C and D in the Roundup Centre
showcases art, entertainment, presentations and exhibitions that
depict our Western Lifestyle.
The tradition of Western Showcase started in a country fair
atmosphere during the 1930's and 40's. Homemakers and School
children would submit handicrafts and baking to the Calgary
Stampede for judging and exhibiting. Many volunteers within
Western Showcase remember being a part of this tradition while
attending elementary school. Those who organized the event were
paid employees of the Stampede.
In October 1971, 14 former "Stampede Royalty" met to discuss how
they could make a significant contribution to the Calgary
Exhibition and Stampede. The committee, Women's World was
officially formed on December 7, 1971. Their first major project
was to produce a fashion show known as "Fashion Royal" in
conjunction with Rodeo Royal in March 1971. The committee was
then asked by the Stampede to take over the handicrafts display
and competition.
The first year they were located in the Big Four Building with
tables set around the room for their displays. After that they
moved to Flare Square where they set up a kitchen display
consisting of an Old Fashioned Kitchen, a Modern Day Kitchen and
a Kitchen of the Future. Guest chefs and cowboys came to do
cooking presentations in the pink tent that the Stampede had
built for them.
They were then moved to the concourse of the Corral where they
only displayed and judged Handicrafts. After a couple of years
they moved again to the main floor of the Coral. The committee
grew to include other committees located on park (The Alberta
Stage, School Committee (children entered arts and crafts to be
judged)) and added a large garden area and orchid display.
In 1978 the committee changed its' name to Creative Living. This
would allow for growth and expansion and they would no longer be
an all women's show. They moved again to the Big Four Building
and brought back Kitchen Theatre. They continued to evolve and
grow to include the original Handicraft display and competition,
The Alberta Stage, Calligraphy, Science Spectrum and
International Photo. They also started the Art show with the
first Art Auction which was held in the Rotary House. Later some
of the artists participating in the Auction were able to rent
booths to sell their art to the public.
Still on the move they found a new home in the Round up Centre
in Hall C. Always changing and growing they added Floriad (a
professional florist's competition and display), Art Gallery,
Sales Salon and the Artisan Village and a yearly special feature
area. Over the years the Stampede would occasionally ask us to
take in special events, i.e. carousal displays, the Glenbow
Museum etc.
1997 marked another year of change. After a retreat in Banff to redefine the purpose of the committee, the name was changed to Western Showcase to describe the new mission statement.
Floriad evolved into Window on the West - an entertainment stage with western entertainers, cowboy poets, and exciting daily presentations. In 2006 Western Showcase added Western Photo Gallery, a competition and sales salon for western photography. As the committee has grown, so have our requirements for space. Hall D is completely occupied by Western Showcase, and ATCO Kitchen Theatre is now located in Hall C.
Western Showcase is recognized as one of the major destination
areas of the Stampede. We are a vibrant group of over 200
volunteers showcasing our Western Heritage and Values.
For more information, please contact:
info@westernshowcase.com
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