Stampede gallops to second-highest attendance of all time

Beautiful weather and an economy on the mend likely contributed to the second-highest attendance rate in the history of the Calgary Stampede.

The Stampede said1,271,241 passed through its gates this year, up more than 56,000 from last year. The number was 150,000 short of the event's all-time record,when1,409,371 people attendedtheStampede's centennial in 2012.

"Our community engagement, our community spirit has never been so high," said Stampede president and chairman David Sibbaldat a press conference Sunday.

"I want to take my hat off not only for everybody who came, but for everyone who participated in what was truly a remarkable year," headded.

Attendance for Sunday's final day was 113,415, down 4,099 from the final day of 2017when it was 117,514.

"The CalgaryStampede creates memories and it always has," Sibbald said.

"But the memory this year is how we engaged the community andhow the community responded to us. They came in droves, they came in numbers, they had a good time and we couldn't be more proud."

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