Every year, the Calgary Animal Rights Meetup Group gathers outside of the gates at the Stampede Grounds and holds a protest to oppose the rodeo.

On Friday, a handful of protestors held signs that demand an end to rodeo and chuckwagon events.

Protestor Jeremy Thomas says animals involved in those events are coerced to perform through fear and pain.

"Every year, horses, calves, and steers are crippled and killed for the sake of entertainment. We are hoping that Calgarians will stand up and say that it is not worth the entertainment they get out of watching the show," said Thomas.

The Calgary Stampede insists all 7,500 animals used during Stampede are well cared for.