Daily News Briefing - Saturday July 16th 2016

Coca-Cola Stage performer: Gord Bamford (9 p.m.)

Nashville North performer:  Jojo Mason (9 p.m.), Madeline Merlo (10:30 p.m.)

International Livestock Auctioneer Championship: Agrium Western Event Centre (11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.)

Heavy Horse Pull - Middle Weights: Agrium Western Event Centre   (7 p.m. - 9 p.m.)

Stampede Talent Search FINALS: Boyce Theatre (6:30 p.m.)

Blacksmith Classic: Northern Lights Arena (11 a.m. - 8 p.m.)

Today’s story ideas                                                                                                                   

• It’s Wildcard Saturday at the Calgary Stampede and for all of the competitors who finished outside of the top four in their respective event it’s the last chance to make it into Showdown Sunday. Four time Stampede Champion Steer Wrestler Trevor Knowles needs to finish in the top two for a chance to win this year’s $100,000 top prize on Sunday.
• The finalists are set and the next Calgary Stampede Talent Search Star will be crowned at 6:30 p.m. tonight in the Boyce Theatre. What started with 67 contestants is now down to 12 with just one lucky winner coming out on top by the end of the evening. Last year’s winner, Christian Hudson, performed during Sneak-a-Peek at this year's Calgary Stampede.
• Julia Vos will play on the Nashville North stage at 8 p.m. following her successful bid at becoming this year’s “Nashville North Star”. Vos beat out 10 other finalists from across Alberta throughout the first week of Stampede to become champion.

Stampede attendance for Friday, July 15, 2016: 81,773

Cumulative attendance for 2016: 826,527

Same day attendance for 2015: 136,124

Overall cumulative decrease compared to 2015: 84,116

Rodeo, Chuckwagon and Agriculture Competition Results:

Rodeo:
A muddy end to competition in Pool B sees former Calgary Stampede Bull Riding Champions among those moving on to Showdown Sunday.  Full rodeo results available here.

Chuckwagon Racing:
Kirk Sutherland celebrates an aggregate win at the GMC Rangeland, while a day money run for John Walters earns him a spot in the top 8 and a chance at the dash for cash. See full results here.

Other Results:

Best Fair Fusion: Big T's BBQ and Smokehouse for their Smoked Chicken and Waffles dish, where instead of using the traditional Belgian-style waffle, their chicken is served in a freshly made waffle cone. With three choices of sauces, this is a savoury dish that you won’t want to miss.

Best Beverage: Family Squeezed Lemonade for their Cantaloupe Lemonade. A New Food for Stampede 2016, this beverage features freshly pressed cantaloupe and lemons mixed with lemonade and a bit of sugar. It’s the perfect drink, period.

Best Value on the Stampede Midway: Wrap Daddy's wraps are good value as they sport large portions that are ideal for sharing (or not, if you’re really hungry), and can all be made gluten free for a nominal fee. Make sure to try their Vegetarian Wrap, which features a meatless protein that can fool any carnivores out there.

Contacts