First Flip pancake breakfast marks unofficial start to Stampede 2023
It's time to dust off your cowboy boots and hats, because the Calgary Stampede is rapidly approaching.
Though the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth doesn't officially kick off until Friday, Thursday's First Flip pancake breakfast marked the unofficial beginning of the annual celebration.
From 7:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, people headed down to Stephen Avenue in front of the Telus Convention Centre to enjoy free flapjacks and live entertainment.
The first pancake breakfast was held 100 years ago. Since then, they have been an aspect of the Stampede that picked up steam, spreading to every corner of the city.
This year, the First Flip event included live performances by the Blake Reid Band, followed by roving entertainment from the Green Fools Entertainment Society.
Mayor Jyoti Gondek joined Premier Danielle Smith and Canada's Minister of Tourism Randy Boissonnault for brief remarks at 8:30 a.m., followed by some time on the grill.
The First Flip event was hosted by Calgary Economic Development, Tourism Calgary, the Telus Convention Centre, Calgary Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Calgary and Calgary Arts Development, Platform Calgary, with support from the Calgary Marriott Downtown Hotel, Hyatt Regency Calgary and The Printing House.
The breakfast precedes Sneak-a-Peek at the Calgary Stampede, which sees visitors treated to half-price admission from 5 p.m. until midnight on Thursday.
If you visit the Stampede this year, there is a fresh menu of unique foods to try.
For those brave enough to push their taste buds to the limit, there will be ketchup and mustard ice cream, Kool-Aid chicken burgers and elk pepperoni pizza, among other creations, available for purchase.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
BREAKING Canadian Blood Services apologizes to LGBTQ2S+ community for discriminatory blood donation policy
Canadian Blood Services issued an apology on Friday to the LGBTQ2S+ community for what it now admits was a harmful and discriminatory blood donation policy that prevented sexually active men who have sex with men and some trans people from donating blood and plasma.
BREAKING 'Just wait': Toronto mayor hints that WNBA team is coming to the city amid multiple reports
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says that she is hopeful an announcement could be made soon amid multiple reports that a WNBA team is coming to Toronto in 2026.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Ontario coroner to investigate death of man who suffered cardiac arrest while waiting in ER
A provincial coroner will be investigating the death of 68-year-old David Lippert, who suffered a cardiac arrest while waiting in a crowded emergency room in Kitchener, Ont.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.
Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.