Calgary Stampede noise complaints reach 70 in first four days; one ticket issued to Badlands
Cowboys Music Festival drew 40 complaints, Badlands 15, with peace officers confirming Cowboys stayed within noise limits.
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The City of Calgary is averaging roughly 18 noise complaints per day over the first four days of the Stampede, with 70 total complaints logged from July 2 to 5.
Of those, 40 complaints came from the Cowboys Music Festival at Cowboys Park — compared with 39 last year — and 15 involved the Badlands Music Festival at 725 – 9 Avenue SW, compared with six last year. There were also 15 complaints for National Saloon, five for Whiskey Rose, and one for Mexifest.
City peace officers are out each night taking noise readings from nearby residential locations. "We're pleased to report that every noise reading taken for Cowboys Music Festival has been below their allowable maximum decibel limit as prescribed in their Noise Exemption Permit," the City said.
One ticket was issued to the Badlands Music Festival after multiple warnings. "After multiple warnings, a ticket was issued last night to event organizers at the Badlands Music Festival tent for exceeding their allowable maximum decibel limit. That ticket is now under review," the City said.
The City and Cowboys Music Festival had a protracted noise debate in the days leading up to the Stampede, ultimately landing on a compromise that allowed for louder music than the permits initially allowed, but required a concert shutdown of midnight with lower-decibel-level music until 1 a.m.
Updated noise complaint and violation data will be provided on July 9.
