Cody Snyder Bullbustin' event signals the unofficial start to Stampede
Cody Snyder was busy on Monday morning.
The Chutes were just coming in and had to be put in place ahead of his annual Bullbustin' event, which gets underway on Tuesday.
This year marks the 23rd for the event, and Snyder says it's become the unofficial start to Stampede.
"It's a great time," Snyder said. "People get into that party mode, and it's hard enough on people, those 10 days (of Stampede) but you know this is now two weeks of hair straight back and get at it. This is a good time and people have a lot of fun."
"It's just a really cool, great party, and it's a great way to kick off Stampede. To come out and have some fun and see great (professional bull riding) – the best Bullriders in the world getting on the best bulls."
LOTS OF MONEY RAISED FOR CHARITY
Snyder says the thing that he's most proud of after years of hosting the annual event, is the money that has been raised for charity.
This year, proceeds from the event will go to Special Olympics Calgary, the Mental Health Association of Calgary and the Luna Child Advocacy Centre.
"It's been great," Snyder said. "We've raised close to $2.5 million for charity over the years, and we're looking to raise close to a $250,000 for charity this year, so it's been a very good event."
SETUP WASN'T EASY
This year's setup was a little tougher than in years past.
That's because the bleachers that are normally supplied by the City of Calgary weren't available this year.
Instead, Snyder says he and his crew had to spend a lot of time building bleachers in June.
"I had to build 52 bleachers to hold our capacity," he said.
"We've got 2,600 people in here and we'll have 3,000 with everybody in standing room, so this bleacher thing was a big process. It took a month to build them."
BIGGER AND BETTER THAN EVER
Snyder says it's all worth it when he sees everyone having a good time at the event.
He says it's always the goal to make Bullbustin' bigger and better than the previous year, and he's pretty sure this year won't disappoint.
"It starts at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and we're about two-hours long. Then we get into the event centre and have a big party 'til the sun comes up," he said with a laugh.
This is the first time Cody Snyder Bullbustin' will be a four-day event. It will be held at the Grey Eagle Resort and Casino from July 5-8, 2022.
For more information and to purchase tickets you can visit the event's official website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.