Create Stunning Western Décor This Stampede!

MAKE YOUR NEXT CALGARY STAMPEDE PARTY STAND OUT WITH A UNIQUE TAKE ON WESTERN DECOR!

What does it take to hold an awesome Stampede Party in Calgary? Well mosey on up, and we’ll give you some of our best advice.

With everyone dressed as the best western version of themselves, the entire city of Calgary slows down a little, turns up the volume on country and western music and perfects their best western drawl. With literally hundreds of Stampede events taking place in Calgary during those hectic 10 days in July, what’s going to make YOU look different than everyone else who is putting out hay bales and split rail fencing?

That’s a great question and you’ve come to the right place! RED Events has been providing western décor and displays in the city for over 20 years and have learned a thing or two about what it takes to make an impact with western displays and décor that are just a little bit different!

Giddy Up

This works for some events, but if it’s a VIP Western Experience you’re after, let’s take it up a notch.

When you think of stampede, it’s highly likely that you have images of lots of hay bales, wooden fencing and cowboy hats galore. Perhaps you’re thinking red checked tablecloths and horseshoes. And you’re not wrong. All of those things actually do have a place in western décor, BUT if you want to stand out from the crowd, we’ll be doin’ thangs a little bit different ‘round here.

Here’s five tips to help you stand out from the rest of the western Stampede folks in Calgary.

1.       Start with your purpose. Are you wooing your best clients this Stampede? Are you hosting your best friends? Are you trying to grab the attention of people passing by your business to get them to come in? Are you trying to create buzz to become a destination?

Your Stampede décor is going to start with your purpose in mind. If you’re trying to make your best clients feel like VIP’s, you’ll want to pay attention to all of the details from the look of your space to what happens once they’re there. If you’re business includes design elements – think home builders, car dealerships, hotels, retail locations and high end condos – you may want to brand your event using your colours, or to create an environment that goes beyond red and white checks.

2.       Consider a slightly upscale version of traditional western bbq grub. This can include the actual presentation of the food rather than the type. Make sure you elevate the way your food is presented and make it go beyond the paper plate.

Think about creating individual servings of fan favorites like mac and cheese in a container or black and white striped popcorn containers. Use traditional cardboard French fry cartons for chicken tenders. Serve a pancake burrito filled with bacon and maple butter. There’s a multitude of options to make you look different from everyone else this Stampede.

3.       Make sure you provide enough opportunities for socializing. A mix of seating option from sofas and comfy chairs to stand up cocktail tables and bars with stools to small dining tables and chairs, will help your guests find where they’re most comfortable. If you want to use hay bales for seating, cover them with hides or elevate them on palette frames.

4.       Think outside the box when it comes to western themed décor. Instead of sticking with standard checks, think cow print or snakeskin. Add vibrant unexpected colours. Hang antler chandeliers. Create barnboard backdrops and include unexpected elements like your name branded in lights. Add in current trends from farmhouse touches to boho styling.

Make sure you scroll through our many Western themed event photos and give us a call – we would love to help you make an impact.

5.       Add entertainment. Make sure you have music, whether you choose to play your own or hire a small band. You can add a few people playing banjo or fiddle rather than a full-scale, full production band if that better suits your location.

Whatever you do, make sure have a small sound system with a microphone if you want to speak publicly. These can be rented fairly inexpensively. Add specialized entertainment if you are extending the invitations to your guest’s families and look for ways to encourage people to have fun.

Whatever you decide to do this Calgary Stampede, we’d love to help you plan the best dang western themed party in the city with some of our epic, out-of-the-box western décor.