Calgary Stampede lineup frustrations rise with heat warnings

Frustration is brewing over long lines to get into the Calgary Stampede this year, after enhanced security measures were put into place.

All visitors entering the park must pass through a security tent. Bags are subject to search bysecurity guards equippedwithmetal detection wands.

Carlee Neufeld, her mom and two daughters had an exciting day on the grounds, once they found their way in.

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"Well, we came through this gate first and it was lined up all the way down to the parking lot so we went around to the other gate and came in that way," Neufeld said.

Admission was free until noon on Sunday, thanks to Cenovus Family Day, which meant tens of thousands of people waiting to get through the bag-check areas.

Neufeld saidshe expected a line, but not that long.

"It's pretty annoying," she said. "We waited quite a while in the lineup on the other side but I couldn't even imagine waiting in the lineup over at this gate."

Gary Mark and his family waited at the Olympic Gate on Sunday as the temperature climbed to a high of 31 C.

"It was wrapped around like two blocks and so we just had to follow the lineup and it took about an hour to get through."

Larry Lalonde with the Calgary Stampedesaidthey increased the number of bag-check tables to keep the line moving.

"What I will say is, we had a great response this morning to the Cenovus Family Day and it did cause some delays in the lineup for sure."

And with more discounts and free admission promotions in the coming days, be prepared for more waits at the gates.

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