MAF’s Connection to the Calgary Stampede

Every July, Calgary transforms. The city dons its cowboy hats and denim, streets come alive with music, laughter, and parades, and the community unites to celebrate the Calgary Stampede, an iconic festival known as “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.” But beyond the midway, rodeos, and fireworks, the Stampede is about something deeper: honouring Western heritage, supporting Indigenous culture, and celebrating the community spirit that defines Alberta.

At MAF Metal Alloy Fabrication, we are proud to be part of that spirit. As a Calgary-based metal fabrication company, our connection to the Stampede runs deeper than just proximity. Our work can be seen in permanent structures and public spaces that help define the look and feel of Calgary year-round, including Cowboys Casino, BMO Centre, and other venues that embrace the values of tradition, artistry, and community.

This blog explores MAF’s role in contributing to the Calgary Stampede legacy, not just through fabricated metal, but through storytelling, partnership, and pride in our roots.

The Calgary Stampede: A Cultural Celebration Which is Far Beyond Just a Rodeo

When most people think of the Calgary Stampede, they picture cowboy hats, bucking broncos, and adrenaline-fueled rodeo events, but the Stampede is so much more than that. Held every July in the heart of Calgary, Alberta, this 10-day celebration is a city-wide cultural phenomenon that brings together tradition, innovation, community, and international tourism. Known globally as “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth,” the Stampede draws more than one million visitors each year from across Canada and around the world.

The event has deep roots in Calgary’s identity. It all began in 1912 when American trick roper and promoter Guy Weadick organized the first Stampede as a tribute to the Old West. The goal? Celebrate ranching culture, honour Indigenous traditions, and put Calgary on the map. That mission still holds strong today, more than 110 years later.

What makes the Calgary Stampede unique is the way it blends the past with the present. Yes, there are world-class rodeo competitions and chuckwagon races, but the event also includes concerts, powwows, agricultural showcases, Indigenous exhibitions, midway attractions, food festivals, parades, and fireworks displays, all spread across a sprawling venue that includes Stampede Park, the BMO Centre, Saddledome, and beyond.

But perhaps the most meaningful part of the Calgary Stampede is the way it honours Alberta’s cultural diversity, particularly through the Elbow River Camp, formerly known as the Indian Village. This area within Stampede Park is hosted by families from the Treaty 7 First Nations, including the Siksika, Piikani, Kainai, Tsuut’ina, and Stoney Nakoda Nations. Here, visitors can learn about Indigenous traditions, witness authentic tipi camps, explore handmade crafts, enjoy live dance and storytelling performances, and gain a better understanding of the cultures that have shaped this land for centuries.

Over the years, the Stampede has also become a hub for business networking, community outreach, and philanthropy. Local businesses and global corporations alike participate in Stampede breakfasts, client events, and sponsorships, while nonprofit organizations leverage the event to raise funds and visibility.

In essence, the Calgary Stampede is more than just a rodeo; it’s a living celebration of Western heritage, Indigenous culture, community spirit, and civic pride. It’s where families make memories, visitors fall in love with Alberta, and Calgarians proudly showcase what makes their city so special.

At MAF, we’re proud to contribute to the infrastructure and storytelling that make the Stampede possible, from permanent architectural pieces to culturally significant installations that honour both history and progress.

Cowboys Casino: Where Western Spirit Meets Design

Located in the heart of Calgary’s entertainment district, Cowboys Casino is an iconic venue that buzzes with energy throughout the Stampede. Known for its dance floors, restaurants, bars, and late-night celebrations, the Casino is also home to some of MAF’s most storytelling-rich work.

One of the most distinctive features we created here is the custom metal railings that line the interior walkways. But these aren't ordinary railings, they're architectural tributes to Alberta’s heritage. Each panel is cut with intricate wheat motifs, a symbol directly pulled from the Alberta provincial flag, representing the province’s agricultural strength and prosperity.

Beyond the wheat elements, MAF fabricated custom metal panels to fill architectural wall gaps throughout the space. These panels feature raised cowboy boot silhouettes, referencing the city’s long-standing rodeo culture and the rich traditions upheld each year by the Calgary Stampede.

Every cut, curve, and finish in Cowboys Casino is a subtle nod to Calgary’s Western roots, merging design with heritage in ways that patrons feel, even if they don’t immediately see.

Honouring Indigenous Heritage at the BMO Centre

In 2024, the BMO Centre underwent a transformative renovation, becoming one of Western Canada’s premier convention and cultural spaces. As one of the first public art installations in the redeveloped building, MAF had the honour of fabricating a significant Indigenous artwork: a metal storytelling panel designed by Andrew Holloway of Yethka Metalworks, a member of the Stoney Nakoda First Nation.

This panel wasn’t just another project; it was a responsibility. A chance to bring an authentic Indigenous story to life in metal.

Holloway’s design pays tribute to the Elbow River Camp, the role of elders in preserving culture, and the spiritual symbolism of eagles. The mountains, tipis, and figures etched into the design carry layers of meaning. It is a reminder that, historically, the Calgary Stampede was a safe haven where Indigenous families could legally practice and share their traditions.

MAF worked closely with Holloway to translate his vision into laser-cut steel, capturing the balance between modern fabrication and timeless culture. Every detail was rendered with precision, and every edge was finished to ensure the story could be shared safely, beautifully, and permanently with the public.

It’s a project we are deeply proud of, one that speaks to the power of collaboration, respect, and the role fabrication can play in reconciliation and representation.

The Process Behind the Projects

These high-visibility projects, Cowboys Casino, BMO Centre, aren’t just about visual impact. They’re a testament to MAF’s end-to-end fabrication process, which is built on precision, trust, and technical excellence.

Consultation & Collaboration

Every Stampede-related project starts with listening, understanding the client’s goals, the cultural context, and the functional requirements. Whether we’re working with Indigenous artists, interior designers, or commercial architects, we see ourselves as collaborators first, fabricators second.

Design & Detailing

Once the concept is understood, our in-house team gets to work using advanced CAD software and 3D modelling to plan each component. Especially when storytelling is involved, the design phase includes multiple reviews to ensure every shape and symbol is represented accurately.

Laser Cutting & Finishing

Our state-of-the-art laser cutting machines bring the designs to life with incredible precision. Whether we’re creating clean silhouettes, organic shapes, or layered textures, laser cutting ensures every piece fits perfectly and stands up to heavy public use.

Installation & Impact

The final stage is always about delivering with care. Our install teams ensure that each piece is mounted securely and presented exactly as intended, ready to welcome locals and visitors into the spirit of Calgary.

Beyond the Stampede: MAF’s Ongoing Role in Calgary’s Identity

While the Calgary Stampede is a flagship event for the city, MAF’s influence extends far beyond the 10-day celebration. Our custom metalwork is found throughout downtown Calgary, in malls, office towers, universities, and public spaces that collectively form the city’s visual identity.

For example:

• At Southcentre Mall, we crafted elegant railings and custom fountain spouts, giving the shopping center a clean, modern finish with artistic flair.

• At the University of Calgary’s MacEwan Student Centre, we designed and fabricated a metal directory system, bringing functionality and style to one of the campus’s busiest spaces.

• Inside the PCL Construction Management Office, MAF created a custom elevator facade that blends industrial strength with polished architectural beauty.

Each of these spaces, whether tied to the Stampede or not, reflects the same values that make the festival so enduring: craftsmanship, connection, and pride in place.

Why the Calgary Stampede Matters to Us

The Calgary Stampede isn’t just a seasonal job site; it’s part of who we are. As a Calgary-based business, we feel a deep responsibility to contribute to our city’s culture. The Stampede allows us to celebrate what we love most: hard work, storytelling, collaboration, and community.

We take pride in helping shape the physical landscape of this iconic event, knowing that the work we do today will be seen, touched, and remembered by generations of Calgarians and visitors alike.

At MAF, we believe that metal can carry meaning. That craftsmanship can celebrate culture. And that through the work of our hands, we help honour the land we live on and the people who shape its future.

Looking Ahead: Future Traditions, New Stories

As Calgary continues to grow and evolve, so too does the Calgary Stampede. New buildings will rise. New generations will take the reins. And new stories will be told, through art, architecture, and yes, even metal.

MAF is proud to be part of that future. With each project, we aim to elevate the role of custom fabrication in cultural storytelling. From Indigenous public art to commercial spaces celebrating Alberta's heritage, we’re ready to help create the next chapter of Calgary’s identity.

Conclusion: Our Legacy Is in the Details

MAF’s connection to the Calgary Stampede is more than just professional; it’s personal. These projects allow us to show the very best of what we do while contributing to a celebration that means everything to this city.

Whether it’s a cowboy boot welded into a railing, a tipi cut into a steel panel, or a flourish of wheat on a casino wall, each piece is a reminder of where we come from, what we stand for, and the traditions we help keep alive.

Visit our Projects Page to learn more about the impact MAF has across Calgary.

We’re not just building metal. We’re building Calgary. One story at a time.