Organizers expect the CFR to draw in about 40,000 people with about 60 per cent from out of town. Local businesses hopes this serves as a free advertisement for the city.

Rodeo Week features a variety of events each day, including a Canadian Country Expo, a Black Tie Bingo fundraiser for the Rodeo Cowboy’s Benevolent Fund, a chili cook-off, daily tailgate parties, nightly all-ages parties, and more.

With the Canadian Finals Rodeo underway in Edmonton, local businesses are embracing their inner rancher. Twice Cream ice cream parlour is celebrating with a special flavour. The cowboy coffee crunch is a rich espresso chocolate swirl with a coffee base and toffee bits, its creators say.

Ranchers and rodeo professionals led cattle from Sir Winston Churchill Square to the Rogers Place Fan Park as curious Edmontonians looked on.

Rogers Place is committed to providing guests the safest and most secure environment. Exiting and re-entering the building will not be permitted at Rogers Place. Once a ticketed guest has been scanned into Rogers Place, guests cannot exit the building and return during the event.

The return of the Canadian Finals Rodeo to Edmonton is expected to exceed economic projections. "We're anticipating well over a $30-million economic impact, more than 45,000 spectators coming right to downtown Edmonton" said Amanda Krumins of Explore Edmonton.