An Alberta bartender has made headlines by fiercely declaring she will never work during Stampede again, attributing her decision to the alarming rise in unruly behavior among partygoers.

Kelly Hanasyk, who journeyed from Edmonton to serve drinks at one of Calgary's bustling party tents for the entire 10-day festival, shared her harrowing experience on TikTok. Her video capturing the chaos has racked up over 1.9 million views, shedding light on the darker side of the beloved event.

According to Hanasyk, the atmosphere shifted dramatically as the festival progressed. By the second weekend, she noticed a sharp increase in aggressive and demanding patrons. The once-festive crowd turned hostile, leading her to declare: "Any environment where people are drinking copious amounts for 10 days straight is not healthy for anyone."

Her concerns are backed by a revealing three-year study published in the Canadian Journal for Emergency Medicine, which indicated a staggering 24% surge in substance misuse diagnoses during Stampede. The study also noted that emergency room visits spiked significantly during nighttime, particularly among men.

Sarah Rosenfeld, associate director of counseling initiatives at the Calgary Counselling Centre, emphasized the importance of community support during such tumultuous occasions. She remarked, "We have a collective responsibility to look after one another, but we also need the skills to handle difficult situations."

On top of the chaotic environment, Hanasyk and her fellow bartenders faced grueling work hours, with some employees clocking shifts exceeding 20 hours straight. This exhausting schedule was exacerbated by the inconsistency in gratuity, making it nearly impossible for staff to know if they were being fairly compensated.

As the smoke clears from this year’s Stampede, one thing is clear: the festival's party atmosphere needs serious re-evaluation, especially if it continues to take a toll on the mental and physical health of those who serve at its heart.