I have 2 dogs, one of whom tries to 'protect' me from the fireworks! I could sleep through the fireworks, but not her 'scaring away' the fireworks with her barking!
Very little work gets done during the ten days and every park and vacant lot downtown sprouts a tent for 'Stampede breatfasts' in the AM and beer tents in the afternoon and evening. Some offices even 'fine' their employees who do not wear western clothing (jeans (Wranglers, definitely NOT Levi's), cowboy boots, cowboy hats, belt buckles large enough to feed a family of five, etc) during Stampede; the money going to charity.
All politicians of every stripe get involved in these breakfasts, including our Prime Minister (pictured below). Many churches also hold 'Stampede breakfasts' for their local communities. I even heard a radio advert for an East Indian restaurant recommending people to have their Stampede parties there. Don't know how they would cotton to a request for BBQ beef, however!
