Music, apps and accessories to round up before the Calgary Stampede

The Calgary Stampede attracts over one million visitors every year and features some of the top acts in music, the world's best rodeo athletes, rides and games, tasty food, nightly entertainment and more. Packing western heritage and festivities into a ten-day event, cowboys and cowgirls from near and far gather at the greatest outdoor show on earth. Hit jump for the Calgary Stampede essentials.

Calgary Stampede essentials

 Calendar: Keep track of when the next ladies barrel racing, tie-down roping or bull riding event is with Calendar. Travelling with a group? Share your busy schedule with them and take on the Stampede together. 

Camera: Capture every sight and sound of Stampede with Camera and new filters that let you do even more with each image. Take a still, video, panorama or square of all the excitement. You wont miss a beat and neither will your friends as you tweet and share your pictures instantly via Instagram and Facebook. 

Photos: Group all of your Stampede photos and videos together with Photos so you can find what you're looking for fast and easy once the festivities wrap up. 

Maps: Navigate through the streets of Calgary with Apple-designed Maps and you'll be sure to find the perfect spot to catch William Shatner lead the 2014 Calgary Stampede Parade.

iMessage: Stay connected and send messages, photos, videos or locations with one or multiple friends using an iPad, iPhone, iPod touch or Mac at once with iMessage. 

FaceTime: When they can't be there in person, they can at least be there onscreen. Share the excitement of GMC Rangeland Derby with your best friend stuck at home with a FaceTime video call. 

Find My iPhone: So caught up with having fun that you've misplaced your iPhone? Don't panic. iCloud can help you figure out where it is by signing in at iCloud.com or using the Find My iPhone app. And with the Lost mode feature, you can immediately lock your device and send it a message with a contact number so whoever finds it can call you from the lock screen without accessing your personal information.

STOMP TO THE BEAT OF YOUR FAVOURITE MUSICIAN 

Dust off your cowboy boots and download the latest hits by world renowned country legends including Shania Twain, Paul Brandt, Reba and Keith Urban available on iTunes.  

Shania Twain: Greatest Hits, Shania Twain ($11.99) 

Performing the first Canadian show in 2014, Shania Twain will take on the Virgin Mobile Stampede Concert Series stage on July 9th and 10th. With more than 85 million albums sold worldwide, she is the top-selling female country singer-songwriter of all time. 

Give it Away (Deluxe), Paul Brandt ($11.99)

Canadian country music superstar will perform the final act of the Virgin Mobile Stampede Concert Series on July 11th 

Reba's #1's, Reba McEntire, ($15.99)

Member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame, Reba has sold over 80-million albums worldwide and will perform on July 13th. 

Fuse (Deluxe Version), Keith Urban ($11.99)

Fuse showcases Urban's inventive fusion of traditional country and contemporary pop from its first moments. Keith Urban will rock the stage at Scotiabank Saddledome on July 12th.  

A Place Called Love, Johnny Reid ($9.99)

Pop/Country singer and songwriter Johnny Reid has charted several hit singles in Canada including "Today I'm Gonna Try and Change the World" and "Let's Go Higher" from one of his six studio albums. 

For more great hits, visit our collection of country singles and albums that are sure to make you do a two-step.

Whether you’re a regular Stampede attendee or a newbie, below are some iOS apps and accessories that can help you plan, navigate and enjoy every minute of your experience.

TRAVELLING IN AND AROUND CALGARY

Canada Offline Travel Guide & Map Universal (Free)

Access local attractions, road maps, prices, tips and reviews offline. 

Street Food Calgary Universal (Free)

A Simple and reliable way to find food trucks in Calgary.

Transit 360 Universal (Free)

Quickly locate and navigate your city's transit system with Transit 360.

MyParking from Calgary Parking Authority Universal (Free)

My Parking Authority makes parking in Calgary more convenient. Pay for parking in ay ParkPlus zone, access parking rates and help locate an on-street or off-street parking stall.

ONCE YOU'RE AT THE FESTIVAL 

Calgary Stampede Universal (Free)

Make the most of Stampede 2014 with the official app that gives you to access to event lists and schedules, maps, search performers and share your experience via social media.  

Find My Friends Universal (Free) iOS exclusive

There is nothing worse than loosing your friends in a crowd before your favourite headliner is about to go on. Before going to Stampede download Find My Friends, an interactive map telling you where all your friends are at any given moment.

Virtual Lighter Universal (free)

Wave to the concert music without burning your fingers. With a vivid picture and cool sound effects, it's basically the same has carrying a lighter in your pocket… but way cooler. 

Soundhound Universal (Free)

Can't recall a popular tune? Find information the song name, artist and album title with just a push of a button.

MUST-HAVE ACCESSORIES 

Incase Portable Power ($49.95) Exclusive 

The Incase Portable Power 2500 is perfect when you run out of juice in the middle of Stampede. Its compact, lightweight, and quick to charge when your in a hurry.  

mophie Juice Pack Helium Battery Case for iPhone 5/5s ($79.95) 

The mophie Juice Pack Helium is the first rechargeable battery case for iPhone 5 and iPhone 5s. Thanks to its 1500mAh battery and ultra-thin design, the Helium can extend your iPhone battery life by 80 per cent—without the weight you'd expect from a battery