I guess I viewed the fair part of the Stampede like a smaller version of the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto which is so much huger and on larger grounds with parkland plus Grandstand, more rides, exhibits to see and there are animals/horses too.

My childhood in Kichener-Waterloo memories was the annual Oktoberfest. It has been Canada's biggest and probably closest in authentic spirit to the real, original big one in Munich.....which I've been to the latter at the tail end.

because K-W genuinely has a German-Mennonite long history. There are several German clubs ..still..in this area.

So Oktoberfest, though is known for drinking like Stampede, is totally different! In high school we also celebrated abit of German oom-pah-pah spirit. Music was played over the intercom for 15 min. No kiddin'.