Two of Alberta's major summer attractions are in full-gear hiring mode.

Both Edmonton's Capital EX - a revamped incarnation of the city's Klondike Days - and the Calgary Stampede are rolling out the red carpet for summer fun with star-studded lineups.

But there's just one hitch: The two expect to still be hiring staff up until the time the gates open to the public, and in the case of the Stampede, throughout the exhibition.

In Edmonton, Capital EX officials actually feel they're ahead of the game this year, having filled approximately 350 of the 700 temporary positions for the July 19-28 event - and this is before they held their annual job fair in mid-June.

In Calgary, however, it's a slightly different story. For the first time, the Stampede has turned to radio advertising to find the staff it needs - it had a total of 3,500 temporary positions open for the 2007 edition, which takes place July 6-15.

As of mid-June, the Stampede was about 600 people short with a variety of positions open, including security personnel, concession workers, kitchen staff and parking attendants.

But officials believe they'll reach their goal.

"We started hiring for the temporary employees over the past few months and we've held two jobs fairs," says Doug Fraser, the Stampede's media relations manager.

"We're still optimistic that we'll have our full complement of employees at the Stampede, though we'll likely be hiring up to and throughout Stampede 2007."

Fraser said the public will find there is sufficient staff on hand, as the Stampede employs 340 full-time and 1,300 part-time workers year-round, in addition to the 2,100 volunteers who help out.

Alberta's red-hot economy is part of the challenge, he adds. "People are being hired and offered wonderful jobs, there are many incentives so they're not coming to us as they used to. That's understandable," says Fraser.

"But we're not afraid to talk about the situation, that we're in need of people," he adds. "It will still be the 'Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth' and there's nothing better than experiencing the Stampede first-hand as an employee."

Stampede pay ranges from $8.75 to $12.15 per hour depending on the job. Hiring ages start at 15, though some jobs are reserved for those 18 or older. The Stampede is also offering an incentive program, which varies by position.

At Capital EX, where pay scales vary from a starting range of $7-$7.50 an hour and go as high as $14-$15 an hour depending on the position, there was also concern about the hot job market.

"We never know until the day of the job fair what the turnout will be like," says Angela Daly, human resources spokeswoman for Northlands, which produces the event.

"We now have over half of the (remaining) 400 positions filled and we're still in the process of reviewing the applications from the job fair. We definitely will be continuing to interview and hire right up to Day 1."

Working in Capital EX's favour, adds Daly, is the newness and excitement associated with the brand. She notes that a fair amount of employees from last year's inaugural edition of Capital EX have been calling months in advance to secure a job for the 10-day event.

Meanwhile, Northlands' staff - 300 full-time and about 1,300 part-time employees - and between 400 to 500 of Northlands' 1,000 volunteers will pitch in.

Daly also says that it's normal to need about 150 to 200 people about a month before the show begins and notes that more are expected to be hired from the mid-June job fair once all the applications are reviewed.

There is a wide range of Capital EX positions remaining to be filled.

Openings include food services, parking operations and positions that are restricted to those 18 or over, such as in the casino, bartending and security.

And for those looking for more than just working for Capital EX, Daly says there are opportunities for summer positions at Northlands.

"There is room for students to start working now and work through Capital EX. Some people don't want that 10-day job, they want that two-month (summer) job," says Daly. "On an annual basis, Northlands holds 2,500 events, with Capital EX being our biggest."

Highlights for the 2007 version of Capital EX include top acts such as Chantal Kreviazuk, Finger Eleven, Great Big Sea, the Official Blues Brothers Revival and a special Harry Potter Day.

Running concurrent to Capital EX, Rexall Place offers Dancing with the Stars: The Tour, as well as the Canadian premiere of Walking With Dinosaurs: The Live Experience.

At the Calgary Stampede, Bon Jovi, Tom Cochrane, Prairie Oyster and Reba are just part of the musical entertainment, while the Tragically Hip will rock the Pengrowth Saddledome.

Top rodeo athletes will return to take on what is being billed as the world's toughest stock at this year's Stampede Rodeo, which offers increased prize money - a total of $1.75 million.

Fair Jobs

* For Calgary Stampede positions: Check out the Employment and Volunteering tab at the Calgary Stampede website at www.calgarystampede.com or visit the Stampede People Centre at the end of the park adjacent to the Erlton C-Train station.

* For Edmonton Capital EX positions: Apply online at www.northlands.com or phone Northland's human resources department at (780) 471-7208.

(Laura Severs can be reached at laura@businessedge.ca)