Stampede First Flip Breakfast draws thousands on Stephen Avenue with political dignitaries and live performances

The griddles were hot and Calgarians lined the block at the First Flip Pancake Breakfast on Thursday—the unofficial kickoff of the 2026 Stampede. Alongside hungry attendees, several prominent political figures turned out: Premier Danielle Smith, federal Finance and National Revenue Minister François-Philippe Champagne, and Alberta Forestry and Parks Minister Todd Loewen joined Mayor Jeromy Farkas in launching the festival.

"I'm glad that we were able to enjoy a blue sky day in blue sky city with an incredible renovation down this block," Smith said. "It wouldn't be Stampede without the first flip."

The breakfast featured live performances from The Frontiers, Kylie Austin, Pearl White Quills & Darcy Turning-Robe, the Chinook Country Line Dancers and Green Fools Theatre Society.

Smith emphasized Stampede as a time for celebration and pride. "This really is such an expression not only of the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, but also of the values that we hold as Calgarians and as Albertans, this Western heritage that we have, and the hard work and grit and determination — we just get 'er done," she said.

Farkas thanked Smith for her leadership in public safety during the festival and expressed excitement about the city's growth. "When we think about Calgary being on the cusp of two million people, we have so much momentum. We're growing, we're ambitious and we're so full of opportunity, and I think right now the Stampede, it matters now more than ever," Farkas said. "Because what Stampede says is that no matter where you came from, you are welcome here and you belong here."

Tourism Calgary CEO Alisha Reynolds said she was feeling positive that the breakfast would beat last year's attendance record of more than 5,000 people, in part due to renovations along Stephen Avenue.