Giant party tents are springing up everywhere around Calgary and it's a sure sign that the Stampede is just around the corner.
The biggest tent is Cowboys at Stampede Park.
The big top is located between the BMO Centre and the Stampede Casino.
An estimated 20,000 people will take in the entertainment at the venue every day.
"I mean it is a major undertaking to put this up and to operate it. You don't just come along and snap up a tent. It really is a lot of work and a lot of cooperation between different parties," said Paul Vickers of Penny Lane Entertainment.
A couple of hours before opening crews were scrambling to make sure everything is in place before they open for business on Tuesday night.
In the downtown core, the Wildhorse Saloon has become a Stampede tradition.
"It's like 10 days of western Disneyland. People get to put on their jeans and their cowboy hats and they kinda transcend into a different world for about 10 days and they have a lot of fun and it really becomes a whole city involvement," said Brian Lee from the Wildhorse Saloon.
Numerous bars and restaurants have also set up smaller tents on their lawns and in their parking lots.
It's the busiest time of year for companies that rent out tents.
Don Buehler from Don's Tents & Event Rentals has contracts for nine tent set-ups and he and his crew have been working 15 hour days to make it happen.
"I mean it's a great part of Stampede, people getting out and meeting new people, under a tent having a cold beer and a good burger," said Buehler.
All of the Stampede party tents require permit approval from the City of Calgary.
