And this year there are a number of plans and packages available for people planning on spending their vacation dollars at home.
"Are we promoting stay-cations? Yes," said Stampede spokesman Doug Fraser.
"Of course we're worried about the recession -- we're working very, very hard to add value for the visitors ... there's no question we're creating a lot of value."
While adult admission to the grounds will rise $1 to $14, Fraser said recession-weary locals and visitors will see greater bang for their buck with a host of new, free attractions.
At the Midway Circus, fairgoers can watch diving acrobats and daredevil motorcycle jumpers.
At the Rocktagon, visitors will be digitally dazzled by banks of high-tech monitors and speakers.
"It'll be a sensory overload -- it's the first time it's being presented in Canada," said Fraser.
The Grandstand Show is being revamped into The Big Show, and a relaxation zone -- the Western Oasis -- will feature a wine bar overlooking presentations of cowboy art, music and poetry in the BMO Centre, formally known as the Roundup Centre.
"We're kicking it up a couple of notches" said Fraser.
Special deals are available in a bid to keep Calgarians coming to the grounds.
There are five new all-inclusive GetAway value packages, including the family GetAway, which includes two adult and two child admissions to Stampede Park, two adult and two child Silver Rodeo or Evening Show tickets, two children's whistle cowboy hats, four reserved seats for the Superdogs, $40 in food certificates for The Range, and eight Calgary Transit tickets.
Choose the rodeo package and pay $179 or choose the evening grandstand show package and pay $234 and you can adjust the number of adults and children in your package.
The Ladies GetAway package includes four admissions to Stampede Park, four Silver Rodeo or Evening Show tickets, four 15% discount cards for Lammle's Western Wear, four iPod shuffles, eight drink tickets, $40 in food certificates for The Range, and eight Calgary Transit tickets.
The rodeo option is $349 for four -- the evening grandstand show option is $384 for four.
If you're riding solo, there's the Complete GetAway.
It includes one admission to Stampede Park, one Gold Rodeo or Evening Show ticket, one cowboy hat, one WestJet Skyride pass, one large bag of mini-doughnuts, two drink tickets ($15.50 value); $10 in food certificates for The Range, and two Calgary Transit tickets.
The rodeo package is $99 while the evening show package is $119.
Visit www.calgarystampede.com for more information about other GetAway packages and to purchase.
