With 30 days left until the Calgary Stampede‘s centennial celebrations, Metro thought we’d provide some fun facts and pointers about the 100-year-old event.

Check back daily for updated facts and feel free to share your own Stampede quips in the comment section below.

#30: The very first Stampede was known as Frontier Days and Cowboy Championship Contest and it was held from September 2-7, 1912.

#29: Canadian country music icon Ian Tyson will be the 2012 Stampede parade marshal.

#28: During a typical year, the Stampede Caravan uses approximately five tons of mix to serve up around 200,000 pancakes to hungry Calgarians.

#27: This year, ride-goers can enjoy the new Midway Express Access Pass, which allows line-jumping through a special gated entrance for $20.

#26: Throwing a western party could be made easy this summer with the Calgary Stampede store selling the Calgary Stampede Party in a Box. The box sells for $39.95 and contains everything from a souvenir banner to cowboy party hats.

#25: The Stampede’s Next Generation Committee is creating a time capsule that will be sealed on the last day of Stampede (July 15). Submissions to the time capsule can be sent to calgarystampede.ngc@gmail.com.

#24: The infamous Stampede rodeo bull Outlaw will have a midway ride named after him this year with the debut of the Outlaw Roller Coaster.

#23: Friends of Metro, Kelsey Hipkin and James Paton, took part in the Stampede Calorie Challenge last year and have vowed to do so again this year. Take a look at last year’s video.

#22: In addition to nightly shows, fireworks will be blasted from four corners of the city this year during Light Up the City on the first three and last three evenings of Stampede. The viewing sites will be Stampede Park, Canada Olympic Park, Heritage Park, Elliston Park, McCall Lake and South Glenmore Park.

#21: For two days this month, June 20-21, 360 Bow Valley English as a second language students will be learning about western culture during Stampede School.

#20: Going to Stampede? There’s an app for that. The Stampede app can be downloaded and used to plan your entire centennial celebrations.

#19: The Calgary Stampede’s YouTube channel has more than 100 video posts including this one on Building The Stampede Legacy.

#18: Until July 29, Charlie Russell and The First Stampede will be on display at the Glenbow Museum. Russell was in Calgary in 1912 exhibiting his work at the first ever Calgary Stampede.

#17: In 1925, a black and white, silent movie titled “The Calgary Stampede” was released.

#16: This year, landlocked Albertans will have the chance to ride some waves on the FlowRider surfing simulator. The Beach, which will be located in the BMO Centre, will also have sand, palm trees and tiki huts.

#15: Canada’s longest temporary zip line will spanning the Calgary Stampede grounds this year. Those brave enough will reach speeds up to 60 km/hr across the over 900-foot line.

#14: The Alberta Boot Company, known for outfitting celebrities and royalty who come to the Calgary Stampede, is offering extended hours until July 15 to ensure Calgarians get their feet in a pair of cowboy boots.

#13: Olympic Plaza will be transformed, once again, into Fluor Rope Square during Stampede. A full schedule of free family-friendly Stampede events can be found here.

#12: Two social media savvy Calgarians will be sharing their Stampede experience during the full 10 days at the 2012 Ultimate Interns. The two have won a package including an iPhone 4.

#11: Ever wonder if a belt buckle can be deep-fried? Probably not, but you can find the answer by watching the Stampede’s web series Will it Fry?

#10: With pancake season upon us, the best way get your fill of Stampede breakfasts is through Flapjack Finder. With a website and mobile app, you can find hundreds of breakfasts over the course of the Stampede. Time to break out the stretchy pants!

#9: The Calgary Stampede wasn’t held between 1913-1918 due to the First World War, but it returned again in 1919 and was called the Victory Stampede as the war was over.

#8: Planning on purchasing some merchandise to commemorate the centennial year? There’s plenty of options, from collector coins to custom cowboy boots.

#7: Music lovers can hit several free concerts during the 10 days of Stampede at the Coca-Cola Stage. The full list of artists and times can be found here.

#6: Having trouble understanding all the lingo used at Stampede time? Stampedisms.com will fill you in on what all the cowboys and cowgirls are talking about.

#5: From a Bacon Sundae Funnel Cake to Pulled Pork Poutine, this year’s new Stampede midway treats offer plenty of deep-fried creations, as well as three of Calgary’s favourite food trucks.

#4: The Stampede offers four value days over the course of the 10 days, allowing Calgarians and tourists to get into the park for a reduced rate or free admission during certain hours. The first value day is Sneak-a-Peek, which is July 5 from 6 p.m. to midnight.

#3: In honour of the Calgary Stampede’s 100th anniversary, Calgarians are asked to post photos of themselves wearing the infamous white cowboy hat taken anywhere in the world as part of The 100 Hats. The group’s Facebook page explains how to participate.

#2: Thousands will converge on downtown Calgary Friday to take in the Stampede Parade. For the best places to view the 4.5 km parade route, check out this map. The parade begins at 8:55 a.m.

#1: From first Stampede visits to love stories, hundreds have shared their memories of the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth through My Stampede. Share your Stampede memories here.