Free Grey Cup events hit Calgary this week, from pancake breakfasts to a nightly drone show

The 113th Grey Cup has arrived in Calgary, and the Edmonton Elks and Montreal Alouettes meet at McMahon Stadium on Sunday. The Elks reached the final after beating the BC Lions in the West Final at Commonwealth Stadium on Saturday.

The days before the game come with a run of free events. A pancake breakfast, a Grey Cup tradition that has been held at every game since 1948, runs every morning from Thursday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Lot 3 in Stampede Park.

The CFLPA Official Players HQ at Rooftop YYC offers autograph signings, meet-and-greets and photos with players and the Grey Cup trophy. Admission is free and first-come, first-served. Hours are 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

The Suncor Street Festival, in the parking lot between the Big Four Roadhouse and the BMO Centre at Stampede Park, is the main hub. It is not ticketed and is wheelchair accessible, with interactive activations, a licensed beer garden, performances, public art and a nightly drone show. Hours are 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday to Saturday.

At the Outdoor Community Stage at Lot 3, Nova Scotian rock band The Trews opens the performances on Wednesday, with nightly DJs and local artists to follow on the same hours as the street festival.

Families can head to the Telus Family Zone in BMO Centre Halls A1 and A2, which has inflatables, a bouncy castle, an indoor turf and a toddler play zone, along with musical acts, storytelling and craft activities. The CFL Hall of Fame is on site, with some alumni signing autographs.