Calgary Stampede 2015: Is it a high-stakes political rodeo?

The Calgary Stampede and politics go handinhand.

The leaders of all the major federal parties will be in town as part of an"unofficial" campaign for this fall's federal election. After theAlbertaNDP winin May'sprovincial vote, it seems there will be a lot at stake.

"Ithink the bigger change this year really for people has beenwhat'shappened with the oil price and the slowdown in the economy," said Prime Minister Stephen Harper, when asked about coming to NDP-governedAlberta.

"But I've been in this province for 36 years now. I've seen a lot worse dips in the oil sector than this, and Iam very confident that the city and the province will bounce back quickly."

TomMulcair'sNDP is hoping to capitalize on the Alberta NDP'svictory. Theparty's southern Alberta organization has been minimal in the past, but14 NDP MLAswere just elected in Calgary.

"People have been looking at us very closely as a matter of fact," said Mulcair."The breakthrough here in Alberta, breakthrough in Quebecit really shows the NDP does represent change.

"I travel from coast to coast to coast and hear Canadianswant change."

The federal Liberals are also hoping tobuck the Tories from their familiar saddle in Alberta.

Kent Hehrand Darshan Kang, both former Liberal MLAs,have been runningcampaigns for months to try to knock off Conservative incumbents Joan Crockatt inCalgary Centre and Devinder Shory inCalgary Skyview.

"Every year I come to Stampede," said Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau. "It's an extraordinary occasion to celebrate this city,to celebrate Alberta and connect with thousands of people who are positive about the future."

NDP honeymoon over?

Premier Rachel Notley was scheduled to be ridingin the Stampede parade Friday morning.

This comes one day after anew poll from MainstreetTechnologiessuggestedAlberta'sWildrose Party would winif a provincialelection were held now, although the next voteis not expected for four years.

• Alberta poll suggests support growing for Wildrose party

"The honeymoon may be over for PremierNotleyas the realities of an NDP government sink in forAlbertans,"said QuitoMaggi, president ofMainstreet. "Lots of decisions are beingmade,and while it may pay off in the long run to do all the heavy lifting at once, for now it is leaving a mixed impression."

The polleven suggests that the Progressive Conservative party has regained the lead in Calgary, meaningNotleyhas a lot of work to do in city especially since a byelection will be held for the seat vacated by former premier Jim Prentice in Calgary-Foothills.Prentice won theriding in the Mayelection but resigned immediately on election night after losing the government to the NDP.

The WildroseParty announced Thursday night during a Stampede event that itwill hold a vote on Aug.15to pick its candidate in theriding.Wildrose Leader Brian Jean said the party will waive its requirement for thisbyelectionthat candidates hold a party membership for six months.

Ballots to be castlaterthisyear

Bob Hawkesworth officially announced Mondaythat he will seek the NDP nomination in the upcoming Calgary-Foothills byelection. Theformer MLA and Calgary city councillor says he wants to return to public life.

The byelection must be held by Nov.5,but no date has been set yet.

Mayor Naheed Nenshi says that after the parade, all of the MLAs from Calgary will gather at city hall for a meeting with council.

"Just informally with all of the CalgaryMLAs,not just the new ones,so it's all about building good relationships and stampede is a good time to do that," he said.

The mayor is hoping he can raise the awareness of urban issues while federal politicians are in town toflippancakes and woovoters during Calgary Stampede celebrations.

But first he will take part in the parade againriding on a very calm horse named Garfield.