VIP passes turning Stampede into a staycation experience

VIP treatment at the Calgary Stampede Alesia Fieldberg explains several options for people looking to make their Stampede visit a memorable one.

The Calgary Stampede has quite a few options for people hoping to make their visit to the grounds this year a VIP experience.

You can ride the midway rides all day long for $54.00 but add another $25.00 bucks onto that gets you a fast pass which means no more waiting in line.

“It saves at least half an hour on some rides,” says fast pass holder Alex Normoru.

There is a $100.00 burger from Motley Que Barbeque that is creating a lot of buzz.

It’s a big beef patty, topped with smoke bison and special sauce and speared with a slab of bacon.

“It usually gains a crowd,” says Jesi Milhousen of Motely Que Barbeque. “People sit at a table and cut into it and others come around and ask what is that?”

There is a party atmosphere throughout Calgary during the 10 days of Stampede but waiting in line outside a club can turn a fun night out in to a drag.

However, two Calgarians created an app called Tang which is a free way to find out where the best parties are.

“If you just hop on Tang and there's a really hot act playing at a specific bar you can go there and that's where the action is,” says Brad Williamson Tang’s app co-founder.

If you want to avoid lines altogether, a chute pass at the Cowboys tent will get you and a friend past the line for just over $1,000.00

“Great vantage point to see the concerts and shows,” says Paul Vickers president of Penny Lane Entertainment. “The VIP experience varies based on what concert is playing from $3,000.00 to $10,000.00.”

The Stampede splurges have proven very popular; nearly all the VIP spots are sold out.