Pancakes, politicians, and blue skies at First Flip Breakfast kickoff

The griddles were hot and Calgarians lined up down Stephen Avenue on Thursday, July 2, for the First Flip Pancake Breakfast, the unofficial kickoff of the 2026 Stampede season.

Alongside hungry attendees, several prominent political figures were in attendance. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, Federal Finance and National Revenue Minister François-Philippe Champagne, Alberta Forestry and Parks Minister Todd Loewen, and Mayor Jeromy Farkas welcomed the Stampede season together.

"I'm glad that we were able to enjoy a blue sky day in blue sky city with an incredible renovation down this block," Premier 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 that Stampede is 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."

Mayor Farkas thanked Smith for her engagement in ensuring public safety during Stampede and expressed excitement over the festivities ahead. "When we think about Calgary being on the cusp of 2 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 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 expected this year's breakfast to beat last year's attendance record of over 5,000 people, in part thanks to new renovations along Stephen Avenue.