From Cowboy Hats to Capes — Alberta, Canada Is the Home of the World's Greatest Traditions

Calgary is home to the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.

Every July, the world turns its eyes to this city for the Stampede — ten days of rodeo, chuckwagon races, midway rides, and the kind of collective joy that only happens when an entire province decides to put on its best western wear and celebrate together. Cowboys and cowgirls. Hats and chaps. Boots and belt buckles. A tradition so deeply woven into Alberta's identity that it's been going strong for over a century.

But here's something most Canadians don't know.

The same province that gave the world its greatest outdoor show also gave the world its greatest outdoor holiday phrase. TICK OR TREAT!

Can you believe these 3 little words strung together in both oral and written form "Trick or treat" was born in Alberta, Canada in 1927? that means this year, it turns 99. Next year, it turns 100.

That might sound like a strange connection at first — Stampede and Halloween — but if you've lived in Alberta long enough, it makes complete sense. This province knows how to dress for a moment. We dress for rodeo week. We dress for corporate parties. We dress for school spirit days, theme nights, theatre productions, cosplay weekends, charity events, golf tournaments to name a few and of course, every October, the biggest dress-up night / weekend of the year!

Stampede is Calgary's summer dress-up tradition. Halloween is Alberta's fall dress-up legacy. The Costume Shoppe has spent more than 30 years helping Calgarians — and Canadians coast to coast through our online store — find the piece that turns an outfit into a moment.

We're Not Here to Replace Your Favourite Western Store

Most Albertans already know where to buy their boots, jeans, and authentic western wear. That's not our lane — and we're not pretending it is.

But when you need the finishing touch, the themed twist, the over-the-top look, the group costume, the character moment, or the last-minute accessory that makes people smile — like a replica cap gun, a different western hat, bandanas, badges, or a saloon-style look fully accessorised — that's exactly where The Costume Shoppe comes in.

From cowboy hats to capes, we are here for the fun side of dressing up.

Two Traditions. One Province. One Store.

Stampede may bring out the western wear, but the same spirit shows up again in October when families, friends, schools, workplaces, and neighbourhoods across Canada start asking the most famous Halloween question in the world: trick or treat?

That phrase has Alberta roots. The earliest known printed use of "trick or treat" appeared in Alberta newspapers in 1927 — in the small communities of Blackie and High River, just south of Calgary. Our friends at Heritage Park have written about this piece of Alberta history too — and they're a great Calgary stop if you're looking for more Halloween history this season. Next year marks its 100th anniversary. That gives this province something special to celebrate: not just one great tradition, but two.

More on the full story in our next post. For now: whether you're adding a finishing touch to Stampede week, planning a themed event, building a group look, or already thinking ahead to Halloween — we've got you.

Come Find Your Look

In-store at the Big Blue Building on Blackfoot Trail SE, seven days a week, year-round. Online at thecostumeshoppe.com, with $10 flat-rate same-day delivery within Calgary if you order before noon. Canada-wide shipping available.

From cowboy hats to capes — we've got Alberta covered.

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Read the full Alberta trick or treat story → Coming soon 

— Ry 
Owner, The Costume Shoppe — Calgary's year-round costume destination since 1994