The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth: Calgary Stampede kicks off

The Calgary Stampede kicked off with the first pancake breakfast of the event. Politicians and locals alike say it's an important event for the community.

Buckle up for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, Calgary — Stampede events have officially begun.

The gates at Stampede Park opened at 5 p.m. for a sneak peek of the grounds and community events got started Thursday morning with the First Flip pancake breakfast on Stephen Avenue.

Politicians from all levels of government rubbed shoulders at the griddle flipping pancakes together. Though usually a lighter moment, the event carries perhaps a bit more weight this year with talks of pipelines and a referendum on Alberta separation swirling overhead.

“This is ground-zero,” Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas said.

“They joke about Stampede being a politician petting zoo, but I think it’s true this year more than ever.”

Canada’s finance minister said he was feeling optimistic about coming together with politicians of all stripes at this year’s Stampede.

“There’s so much that we can do together, I’ve never been more hopeful,” François-Philippe Champagne said.

“Stampede has a way to inspire people.”

First Flip is the first of nearly 150 pancake breakfasts this Stampede, giving the community ample opportunity to connect and celebrate.

It’s a big draw for many in the community.

“Number one they’re free. Second, it’s Stampede, it’s the spirit of Stampede, 10 days of nothing but fun,” Calgarian Miranda Cabiladas told CTV News.

“It’s an important time to get the city together and celebrate our western heritage,” said born-and-raised Calgarian Jason Wight, who was attending the event with his kids.

On the grounds many favourites — including the Stampede show band, mini donuts and agriculture shows — will be back, but there’s always something fresh. This year, that includes two new midway rides, 60 new midway foods and some new shows.

One of those shows is a high diving show set to take place on the BMO front lawn.

“You’ve definitely got to check it out,” said Stampede spokesperson Julie Forget of the Flying Fools show.

“I looked at it (and) and they’re diving off a 25-metre platform that’s really skinny into a three-metre deep pool. (It’s) kind of crazy.”

Last year 1.47 million people attended Stampede Park, and the economic benefit of all those guests goes beyond the grounds.

“The 10 days alone drive more than $300 million in economic impact to the city of Calgary,” said Alisha Reynolds of Tourism Calgary.

Thursday at midnight is the last chance to get a Stampede Superpass, which gets you unlimited entry to the grounds all ten days for $50.