Calgary Stampede

Calgary, Alberta- Ridin’ ropin’ & ranglin’ may be center-stage at the Calgary Stampede, but what’s also very cool is the tradition of western hospitality which is demonstrated with free pancake breakfasts at different locations around the city. What started with a chuck-wagon driver serving breakfast from his rig in downtown Calgary has morphed into massive mall breakfasts.

An estimated 200,000 pancakes are severed around the city during the 10-day event. It’s all part of what Calgary calls ‘the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth’. And more than one million people took part in this city celebration, which dates back to 1912. Businesses dial it down, residents grab their cowboy hats, and thousands of volunteers head over to the Stampede Park ( just look for the saddle-shaped stadium) to help with the wild west entertainment, which features family fun ranging from rodeos and an Indian village to chuck wagon races and nightly fireworks.

Check this website to see where the free breakfasts are being held.  You can also follow the Calgary Stampede on Twitter at @CalgaryStampede

Canada Post celebrated the 100th Anniversary of the Calgary Stampede with two of the first stamps first to feature Augmented Reality.