Calgary’s mayor says the Calgary Stampede will return stronger then ever despite this year’s event being cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The so-called Greatest Show on Earth has been cancelled. It’s the first time in a century that the city’s biggest summer event has been called off.

Naheed Nenshi says the Stampede is a critical part of the summer but these are extraordinary times and they have to put the community first.

“You know what, the rodeo will come back, the rides will come back, the music will come back” said Nenshi. “What will never, ever go away is our community spirit.”

A million people a year visit the event. Alberta’s chief medical officer of health said yesterday that restrictions on large gatherings means summer events and festivals can’t happen this year.