The Western spirit is alive throughout Calgary, as thousands of people lined up at various breakfasts to receive their share of free pancakes while enjoying all the fun the Stampede has to offer.
The busy day began early at 7 a.m. as Chinook Mall hosted its 62nd annual pancake breakfast and welcomed nearly 40,000 people to its east parking lot throughout the morning.
This year’s stage featured Craig Moritz, The Heels and Jake Mathews.
Cadillac Fairview (CF), the company responsible for the mall, says the event is a “beloved family tradition” it has hosted for the past 60 years.
“Our breakfasts are iconic for many residents who join us year after year at our two Calgary malls. For some, the Stampede experience isn’t complete without a pancake breakfast and we’re looking forward to welcoming you to the community to mark this memorable tradition. ”CF Vice President of Operations Cam Gresko said in a statement.
CF says it will also make a donation to Alberta Children’s Hospital to support the facility.
Along with a free $ 25 gift card promotion for the first 200 mall shoppers who spend more than $ 250 that day, CF says it will conduct a number of other promotions during the 10 days of the Calgary Stampede.
THE ISMAILI MUSLIM COMMUNITY CELEBRATES THE EID SEAL
More than 7,000 Calgary gathered at the Ismaili and Jamatkhana Community Center on Saturday morning to make Stampede pancakes and to honor a special Muslim festival.
The 25th annual breakfast coincided for the first time with Eid al-Adha, known as a Muslim holiday of sacrifice.
A couple of hundred volunteers fed and served thousands of pancakes and scrambled eggs, along with the famous bharazi (chicken peas with a coconut-based sauce) and Jalebi (a special dessert to celebrate Eid).
Alisha Kanji with the Ishmaelite Muslim community says this year is more special than ever because it is the first large-scale event since the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s been very difficult to try to keep having our own traditions and customs that really live up to what we’re trying to do with Stampede, but this year, we thought, why not combine the two celebrations,” he said.
“It was a wonderful opportunity to have brought the two together and to be able to get everyone back to a similar place to participate in a community meal.”
Breakfast featured live bands, visits from politicians such as Prime Minister Jason Kenney and Mayor Jyoti Gondek.
Children were also able to play, enjoy bouncy castles and candy with the proceeds going to the Canadian Mental Health Association.
BREAKFAST MAKAMI STAMPEDE RAISES FUNDS FOR UKRAINE
MaKami College welcomed hundreds of people throughout the morning to Marlborough Mall, where a free community breakfast with pancakes raised funds to support Ukraine.
The event hosted by local Conservative MP Jassraj Singh Hallan of Calgary Forest Lawn accepted donations for the Canadian Red Cross.
Marija Pavkovic-Tovissi, whose family came to Calgary from the former Yugoslavia, reflected on the importance of returning to need.
“As an immigrant who also came to Canada from a country with a long history of conflict, we empathize deeply with the people of Ukraine.”
“We encourage attendees at this year’s Stampede to help donate in the way they can.”
Meanwhile, several conservative members of parliament, including interim party leader Candice Bergen, were also running for a good cause and interacting with voters.
“It’s very exciting to be here,” he said.
“We feel very positive about the future of our party, the free future of our movement and, frankly, the future of Canada.”
Conservative leadership candidates Roman Baber and Pierre Polievre also attended the event.