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Come Dine With Us Calgary! Stampede Food Sensitivity Options

May

2013

With all the new food we have on Park this year, it’s easy to forget about the great food options we have returning each year. Our food vendors not only strive to make some of the more outlandish foods available, they also understand that many of our guests have unique dietary needs. Whether you are looking for gluten sensitive, lactose free or something a little lighter, we’ve got your back.

Maybe you’re watching what you eat, or simply looking for a healthy break between deep fried delicacies, either way, you’ve got choices. You can head over to Wrap Daddy’s to pick up one of their cone shaped wraps, try out a noodle box from SaltSpring Noodle Bar or stop by Los Compadres for their Esquites, a returning favourite!

For those looking to avoid gluten or dairy on the Midway you have many options, including the baked beans from Bush’s Baked Beans, fries from Fresh Cut Fries, beef bacon and eggs from Canadian Beef Bacon or maybe a large dose of protein with a giant turkey drumstick from Swenson Faz’ Smoked Turkey Drumstick booth.

Some locations on Park, like The Naaco Truck and Avatara Pizza, are able to cater to almost all dietary needs with gluten sensitive, lactose free and vegetarian options in their menu. Make your meal gluten sensitive at Avatara with the gluten sensitive crust or change out the naan bread at The Naaco Truck.

We want everyone to be able to enjoy the many things the Stampede offers, including the cuisine we have on the Midway. Stop by the Stampede this summer to try some of the options we have for you, and let us start the second century together!

Written by:
Lindsey Kendrick
Jillian Cook

Let the Summer Fun Begin

May

2013

by Jessica Williams, 2013 Stampede Queen

Where has the time gone? I cannot believe it is already the end of May and Stampede is starting to creep up on us. It feels like just last week my Stampede sisters and I were getting crowned. Enough about that, time to tell you what Danielle, Catherine, Amber and I have been up to!

Our schedules keep getting busier and busier with Stampede getting closer. Promoting the Calgary Stampede is a must everywhere we go. Whether it’s supporting our local 4-H clubs by judging lip sync competitions, giving a public speaking clinic to the Calgary Stampede Showriders, or going to Elementary School Carnivals, Stampede is always our number one topic.

One of the events we attended recently was the Calgary Street Food Festival. It was held at the Kingsland Farmers Market where they had 12 different food trucks all serving their best dishes. We were invited to be guest celebrity judges along with two others. We all sat at a table and had the job of taste testing samples from each truck, talk about a hard life. They brought us chicken burgers, ice cream, perogies, pizza, sushi, and grilled cheese just to name a few. My favorite was the Saskatoon berry dumplings!!!! Mayor Nenshi also joined us at the event and we let him have a taste of a few treats also. It may have been a very tasteful event, but we sure were not in the mood to do much moving around after.

The next event we attended we finally were able to show off all the hard work we have been putting into our Princes Hawk, Snoopy, and Kansas. The Little Britches Parade and Rodeo in High River was the official start of our rodeo season. We have been riding the Stampede Royalty horses for a few months now and were so excited to take them on the road. The Stampede Princesses and I may have had a few butterflies, but our trusty ponies were old pros and didn’t miss a beat. We all smiled and waved proudly during the parade promoting the Calgary Stampede and our western heritage. We may have smiled a bit bigger when running into the arena for Grand Entry!

Each week brings new excitement as July gets closer. We may be excited for Stampede but taking one day at a time and enjoying every part of it is a must!

Time to let you in on the secret! NEW food on the Midway 2013

May

2013

by James Radke, Midway manager

If you are anything like me you have been anxiously awaiting the day when we share the news about all things food at this year’s Stampede. This is the day when you start planning your trip to Stampede based solely on where your stomach and nose will take you. You may even start training for the feast that awaits you this July. I have some words of wisdom: if you don’t have an addiction to bacon, you will; and if you are watching your figure, get over it for ten days.

After a great Centennial year, everyone has been asking “what’s next”? Never willing to back down from a challenge, at Stampede 101 you will get to enjoy the first ever Calgary Stampede Food Truck Rally and a nearly doubled New Food on the Midway list.

18 of Calgary’s favourite food trucks will be rollin’ onto Park on July 11-13. They are rolling up their sleeves and getting ready to cook you up some of their best dishes. Express your love for food and release your inner Foodie by visiting the favourite local food trucks on Park.

2013 is a record breaking year for new food, with an unprecedented 31 items! There is sure to be something new for every Stampede food fan, from delicious International flavours to downright daring offerings.

Taking deep fried to a new level. Of Awesome.

Our food vendors are always looking to try to turn everyday food on its head. Usually this involves some form of deep frying and 2013 is no exception

Double Bacon Corndog

A hot dog is wrapped in bacon, deep fried, dipped in real bacon bit infused batter, deep fried again and served with maple syrup and more bacon bits.

Sweet Corn Corndog

Fresh sweet corn is husked, cut off the cob and added to traditional corndog batter to create a fresh twist on an old favourite.

Banana Bacon Ear

Elephant ear dough is wrapped around bacon and bananas, deep fried and served on a stick.

Deep Fried Pickled Beans

Continuing the pickle craze, green beans are pickled, battered and deep fried.

Deep Fried Butter

The old adage that calories don’t count during Stampede is put to the test with this treat. Cubes of butter are tightly wrapped in homemade pie crust before being deep fried to perfection.

Deep Fried Pie

Homemade pie crust is filled with your choice of pie filling before it is wrapped, deep fried and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. Soft service ice cream is available to top it all off.

Deep Fried Doritos

A deep fried snack made of Doritos, beer and bacon, could it get any better? Doritos are dipped in a beer batter, sprinkled with bacon bits and deep fried.

Deep Fried Bubble Gum

Despite the name, deep fried bubble gum is not of the bubble blowing variety. Puffy marshmallows are infused with bubble gum flavoring, dipped in a pink pastry batter and deep fried. The result is an unexpected gooey delight!

Deep Fried Avocado

Pieces of avocado are coated in light tempura batter and deep fried.

Deep Fried Philly Cheesesteak Rollup

The traditional Philly cheesesteak sandwich, which gets rolled up and deep fried.

Chip DogNot your typical meat and potatoes. Take your hotdog on a stick and then surround it by spiral cut chips.

International Delights
With visitors from all over the world our list would be incomplete without a few International dishes. While some have remained true to tradition we couldn’t help throw a Stampede twist on a few.

Eggroll On a Stick

A Chinese favourite gets the Stampede treatment when we take a classic eggroll and serve it on a stick

Shrimp Chips

A mixture of shrimp and tapioca flour is rolled out, sliced, dried and then deep fried. A staple Asian snack!

Naaco TNT

A sweet, salty, spicy, fresh & crunchy puffed rice based salad from India. It is made by mixing a variety of vegetables, sauces/chutneys, spice powders, fresh herbs, lime and puffed rice together and serving it in a waffle cone.

Cochinita Pibil

A pork taco with Adobe salsa, lime, red onions, habaneros (for the REAL Cowboy)

Flautas de Pollo

Rolled chicken tacos that are deep friend and with sour cream, Lettuce and Salsa on top

Not your average sweet treats!
Got a serious sweet tooth? We’ll put it to the test with our combination of decadent desserts and unique treats.

Chocolate Dipped Jalapeno

Just as it sounds. A jalapeno is dipped into chocolate to make for a sweet and spicy treat

Chocolate Covered Bacon

Combining two of our favourite food groups, bacon is dipped in chocolate and served on a stick.

Frozen Yogurt

This self-serve frozen treat comes with toppings galore. You are the boss of your yogurt destiny!

B52 Fudge

Fudge with a buzz! Baileys fudge is topped with Grand Marnier fudge and then topped off with Kahlua fudge.

Chocolate Cinnamon Bear Fudge

Cinnamon Bears are added to this crowd pleasing fudge to blend sweet and spicy.

Western Cake Pops

Finally cake on a stick. Gooey chocolate cake shaped as cowboy boots and hats then dipped in milk chocolate. Giddy up!

Dessert Fries

Home cut french fries are coated in cinnamon sugar and served with a side of special frosting dipping sauce.

Chocolate Bacon Fudge

Bite into this decadent chocolate fudge and you will discover bacon bits that have been added to the mixture. Sweet and salty!

Chocolate Bacon Apple

No fair is complete without a chocolate coated apple and Stampede is no exception. Roll that apple in bacon bits and you are on a new playing field.

Downhome Good Eats
Sometimes you just want some good ol’ fashioned home cooking but your mom is at Family Feud. Let us take care of the cooking for you!

Philly Cheesesteak

Thinly sliced pieces of steak, sautéed onions and melted cheese are all served on a hoagie roll for this Philadelphia favourite.

Idaho Nachos

Idaho’s version of nachos starts with waffle cut fries that are then topped up with all the fix’ins.

Godzilla Mac and Cheese

Classic gourmet Mac and Cheese with a Japanese flair. ‘Reel Mac and Cheese’ is topped with Nori (roasted seaweed), teriyaki sauce and a squiggle of Japanese mayo. Arigoto.

Idaho Taco

A jumbo Idahoan potato is baked, opened and then loaded to the brim with your favourite taco toppings.

Double smoked bacon wrapped cheese perogie skewer

Pan fried perogies wrapped with double smoked bacon, skewered and served with a dollop of sour cream and chives

For those who dare!
Sometimes you have to show your friends who’s boss. The best way I can think of involves an ounce of pickle juice served straight up.

Pickle Shooters

Think you have the stomach for it? Shots of pure pickle juice are available for those daring enough to try.

To help you plan your trip check out the New Food on the Midway map!

I will leave you with dreams of cake pops dancing in your head, but be sure to stay tuned for more exciting updates on all things food for this year’s Stampede.

Written By:

Jillian Cook

Lindsey Kendrick

Meet Me at the Market

Apr

2013

by Teresa Falk, Aggie Days Committee

As Aggie Days draws near, here is a guest post by Debra Murphy. Debra is a farmer, aspiring writer and amateur photographer in rural Alberta. After graduating from the University of Alberta with a B.Sc. in Agriculture in 2010, Debra participated in a six-month volunteer exchange to Nova Scotia and Indonesia. Finding artistic inspiration in landscapes, rural culture and sustainable agriculture worldwide, Debra is passionate about sharing her unique perspective as a young female farmer. Find her on Twitter @AgDebra and read her blog at http://agdebra.blogspot.ca.

Don’t miss Aggie Days April 13 and 14 at the BMO Centre, Stampede Park. Admission is FREE for everyone! And make sure you become a fan and follower of the Aggie Days Facebook and Twitter accounts for all the latest news!

Have you ever been to a Farmers’ Market? I must admit that even as someone heavily involved in the agriculture industry, I was incredibly intimidated by the entire concept. Perhaps this is why an otherwise mundane shopping trip was made so memorable several years ago.

It was my third year of university. The crisp spring air was a welcome change to the aroma of stale books, greasy food and chemistry lab experiments gone wrong. I breathed it in, was persuaded to hasten my gait and embraced the anticipation of what I would find. I remember the last block clearly. I could see the energy of the market on each guest’s face, and as I joined the masses, I could feel the warmth on my own. I have never felt so welcome in a group of strangers, nor have I ever had a better time shopping for food!

Since that first trip, I have had the pleasure of exploring numerous Farmers’ Markets, including some in Edmonton and Halifax. But, I’ve never had the opportunity—or perhaps, made the opportunity—to explore a Farmers’ Market in the City of Calgary. So, I invite you to join me as I journey to discover why consumers are flocking to Farmers’ Markets, how you can the most of a trip to the Farmers’ Market and where to find one.

To start my exploration, I spoke with Amanda Bonner, Director of Marketing and Events for Calgary Farmers’ Market. I wanted to truly understand why Farmers’ Markets are gaining popularity.

“Calgarians want to connect with their food,” Bonner said. “They want to connect directly with farmers and producers. There’s a real sense of community.”

And in addition to the welcoming atmosphere, consumers, including a certain Dan Clapson, chef and founder of Start from Scratch, are also enthusiastic about the quality and diversity of fresh, local produce. In fact, the Calgary Farmers’ Market alone sees more than 17,000 people every week!

For those of you wanting to explore a Farmers Market for the first time, Bonner and Clapson shared a few tips:

Come with a goal in mind, like: “I want to make a local meal today.”
Have a basic recipe list.
Be open to seeing and trying things you might not have tried somewhere else.
Commit a fair amount of time to the experience.
Feel free to explore.
Above all, don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Speaking of questions… That leaves you with one question, right? “Where and when?” In my opinion, the most coherent and comprehensive online lists of Farmers’ Markets in Calgary are from the avenue and Found Locally, respectively. Good news, Calgarians: you have a lot to explore!

So… meet me at the market?

Did you know…
An “Approved Farmers’ Market” under The Alberta Farmers’ Market Association is required to have at least 80% of the vendors selling local products, i.e. those made, baked or grown in Alberta.

The Chicken and the Egg

Apr

2013

by Teresa Falk, Aggie Days Committee

As Aggie Days quickly approaches, here is a guest post by freelance writer Clare Stanfield. Clare has been writing about agriculture for almost 20 years. She lives in downtown Calgary and works as a freelance writer.

So I was in my local grocery store the other week buying eggs. If you’re like me, you just kind of go for what you know when you’re shopping – favourite crackers, favourite yogurt, favourite cereal – you don’t really look at what else is on the shelves anymore.

But this particular day, it was as if I was seeing the egg section for the first time, and it’s a wall. A wall of eggs. Free-run eggs, free-range eggs, grain fed eggs, omega-3 eggs, white eggs, brown eggs, organic eggs, Comfort Coop eggs…comfort coop?

What do all these classifications really mean? How on earth does a consumer make a decision? I decided to do a little digging.

The Hen House

The Comfort Coop eggs I saw are produced by Farmer’s Finest, a division of Alberta’s own Sparks Egg Farms, a leading egg producer in this province.

Egg production has changed a lot since the Gilani family bought Sparks in 1976 and that is largely due to consumer demand, both for eggs with specific health benefits, and for improved animal welfare. The result is that wall of eggs in the supermarket. Here’s a quick rundown of what they all mean.

Comfort Coop eggs come from chickens raised in small groups (four to six birds) housed in large cages with nesting boxes, scratching pads and plenty of room to bustle about expressing their natural behaviors, including their impulse to congregate and socialize.

Free-Run eggs come from chickens raised in a big, open-plan barn where they roam about freely with not a cage in sight. The barn has perches and nesting boxes at various levels so the hens can roost and lay eggs where they like.

Free-Range eggs come from hens that have the same living environment as free-run hens, but with the added benefit of access to the outdoors where they can scratch about, eat insects, peck in the dirt – you know, chicken stuff.

Organic eggs come from hens that are fed certified organic feed, which is grain that contains no additives, antibiotics, medications or preservatives, and is also pesticide and GM-free.

Omega 3 eggs come from hens fed a fortified, multi-grain feed designed to boost Vitamin E and Omega 3 content in the egg. Flaxseed, which is high in Omega 3 acid, is a big component of the feed. Sparks uses a blend that includes 10% to 20% ground flaxseed.

Grain Fed eggs come from hens that are fed a special no additive, no preservative, no antibiotic, no hormones, no medications all-grain diet that includes barley, corn, oats, wheat, soya and flax. The diet is aimed at making a tastier egg.

Facing the Wall

The price difference between some of these products and the regular run-of-the-mill carton of eggs can be quite staggering. My local store, for example, has small, store-brand eggs on for $2.69 a dozen, while a name brand of large organic Omega 3 eggs go for $7.29 a dozen.

Nutritionally, there’s not a lot of difference among all these types of eggs (other than the Omega 3), and there is NO nutritional difference between brown and white eggs (brown hens lay brown eggs, white hens lay white eggs, it’s that simple).

So making your choice can depend as much on your budget as on your personal taste and social conscience. And that’s okay – the point is that for the first time in a long time, we have options as consumers, options that we helped shape through our desire to have something better than before.

Check out these Chicken Facts:

There are more chickens on earth than there are humans.
Chickens can cross breed with turkeys. The result is called a Turkin.
The greatest number of yolks ever found in a single chicken egg was nine!
The record for laying the most eggs in one day was seven.
A chicken will lay bigger and stronger eggs if you adjust the lighting in their cages to make them think each day is 28 hours long, instead of 24.
Chickens eggs come in colors sometimes (other than white and brown). Some breeds lay eggs in shades of blue or green. Ready-made Easter Eggs!
The fear of chickens is called Alektorophobia.

Chatting with Cops, Ziplining with the Famous, Bare Bottom Surfing & Cricket Pizza

Jul

2012

by 2012 Ultimate Interns: Arielle Land & Jovita Byzitter

Calgary Police Services

Jovita: We met up with the Calgary Police Services to explore the Stampede grounds together, and get a feel for what it’s like to work at the Calgary Stampede. The officers were on duty in the Indian Village so we accompanied them there. We donned Indian Princess hats and stared in awe at all the colourful outfits. A few of the tipis were open for inspection and we wandered around with our escorts until we reached the CPS tipi. It came complete with unique crest and the promise of an invite to the Indian Village.

Arielle: I asked one of the officers about his experience as a Policeman at the Calgary Stampede. He told me that about five years ago he considered retiring as a cop. And then he moved to Calgary. He explained to me how Calgary is different. Here, cops are a part of the Calgary community; they are appreciated and trusted. As a cop, wearing a cowboy hat around the city is a great symbol of this alliance. He loves the Calgary Stampede and working at it. It’s a different pace for him – filled with high excitement and welcoming people.

All this love, respect, and appreciation? This is exactly why I love my city.

Zipline

Arielle: I didn’t think I was scared of heights, but when you are 118 feet above crowds of people about to Zipline over them, I am sure you would panic too. The first time we ziplined was with Mayor Nenshi and Stampede President, Mike Casey, the second time with America’s Next Top Model, Sophie Sumners. Climbing the stairs was a workout in itself, terrifying me more and more as I climbed up each new set of scaffolding. Both times it took some convincing for me to go down (the first time, a shove), while Jovita took the ziplining with ease, even going upside-down.

(Note: There’s a whole lotta of fear behind those smiles.)

FlowRider

Jovita: Arielle and I managed to find time on Saturday to take a quick trip to the beach! It wasn’t very far away, just the beach located in the BMO center, complete with oversized sandcastle and the Flowrider, an indoor surfing machine. We got to have the first ride of the day, which was nice because there wasn’t a lot of fans at first to watch our failed rookie attempts at staying upright on the board. By about the fourth time, I seemed to get the hang of it and managed to do some weaving.

I was feeling pretty good about myself until Dan the demonstrator took over and was spinning around in the water, jumping on the top of the half pipe and riding up and down the wave with ease. Even though I fell a lot, I managed to make most of them as graceful as possible while sheets of water are rushing at you. Arielle was not so lucky. Every fall seemed to get more ridiculous than the last, with the grand finale being Arielle’s bare bottom accidently exposed to the cheering crowd.

Cricket Pizza

Arielle: On Twitter last Saturday, I asked my followers to give me some Stampede dares. One of the few dares that did not have serious repercussions was to eat Cricket Pizza. Now last Saturday, I was game for it. But after an entire week of thinking about the creepy crawlers, I had the jitters.

The worst part? Seeing the crickets face-to-face. I only have two words: absolutely horrifying. They appeared to be looking at me in their dead state. One even seemed to be praying before it had been cooked.

My first bite into the pizza wasn’t bad, I felt confident! Until I had felt a weird crunch. The cricket tasted like sunflower seeds (needless to say: I don’t like sunflower seeds anymore). After some minor panicking, I finished a good portion of the pizza. I offered it to random strangers… got some weird looks and a few laughs but they wouldn’t try it. I guess their moms told them to never accept cricket pizza from strangers.

A word of advice: if you’re gonna eat cricket pizza, be prepared for cricket legs in your teeth <<shudder>>. Reginald – thank you for the dare – it might have been terrible, but a great adventure.

Stampede – the Gluten Free Route

Jul

2012

by Laurel Lapointe, Next Generation committee volunteer

Golden deep fried food…. The trade mark of most visits to the Stampede grounds, everyone raves about the deep fried Oreo’s, Those Little Donuts and Churros, but for those of us that cannot indulge in gluten ridden treats it can be a bit difficult to find delicious midway food.

This Centennial Year there are some options and I took it upon myself to test the Gluten Free meals out.

First stop, Fresh Cut Fries. Golden, delicious fries. As they are made from fresh cut potatoes they offer a great snack and were served hot – straight from the deep fryer (I never said anything about Stampede food being healthy!). Smothered with ketchup (the only way to eat them in my opinion) they hit the spot!

Favourite gluten free meal would have to be the Naaco Bites (not recommended for celiac or those with a serious allergy as they are cooked in the same oil as the samosas). It’s not very often that I get to indulge in battered deep-fried food so I jumped at the opportunity to test out the chicken sausages coated in corn and chick-pea flour. I wasn’t disappointed – crispy on the outside and perfectly cooked chicken on the inside.

And last but not least you can’t leave the Stampede without trying something sweet – Mackay’s ice cream on a hot day helps cool the system down and provide some much needed relief from the heat. Vanilla is my favourite treat, but the mint chocolate chip tasted amazing too! So many flavours to choose from…wonder how many I would have to eat a day to try each one?

One of the Gluten Free options on my list to try

Where to taste test the Naaco bites – Located near the dreamhome!

Just another option to indulge gluten free style

As always, please exercise caution when ordering, the vendors do their best but cannot guarantee that the food has not come into contact with an allergen.

Showing New Canadians Some Western Hospitality

Jul

2012

by Shannon McNeney, Next Generation Committee Volunteer

A friend of mine, Carly, is a teacher with Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (L.I.N.C.) at the YMCA of Calgary, which is funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. This program assists immigrants with valuable insights into Canadian culture and the Calgary community while developing the language skills needed for daily life and successful integration into mainstream society.

Being a not-for-profit means that most of the “field trip” events they go on are donated or free, which makes Stampede a perfect time for them to experience a part of what makes our city so great!

From the large array of Stampede Breakfasts, to the square-dancing on Stephen Avenue, and the entertainment at Fluor Rope Square there are so many wonderful free things going on throughout the city for everyone to enjoy.

I had the opportunity to meet a number of her students at last year’s First Flip Stampede Breakfast. It was definitely an eye opener for me to see people much older than I am learning basic skills to help them adapt to life in Canada. There were 2 sweet older ladies from Myanmar, who had literally lived in the bush all of their lives and are now adapting to a very foreign way of life.

Even some of the simplest every day gestures we don’t give a second thought to, like how people greet each other with a handshake and say hello, are foreign practices to many newcomers, so these outings play an extremely important role in their education and help them develop the skills they need for day to day life in Calgary.

The Calgary Stampede recently hosted a Canadian Citizenship Ceremony at the BMO Centre, and its purpose was to grant official Canadian citizenship to one hundred individuals, in honor of the Calgary Stampede Centennial. All new citizens were presented a commemorative Calgary Stampede Centennial pin and were treated to Centennial cake by the Cake Posse.

I hope that the sense of community at events like these helps immigrants feel welcome and also interested to learn more about our Western culture.

If you immigrated to Calgary from another country we’d love to hear the story of your first Stampede experience for our Time Capsule! The Next Generation Committee is gathering a collection of memories and moments to include. You can email your submission to: calgarystampede.ngc@gmail.com

Adding the OUTDOOR to Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth

Jul

2012

by Ryan Wallace, The Young Canadians

What a busy past couple of days. We got to perform at the unveiling of North America’s biggest statue exhibit, and then we completed our last rehearsal at Stew Hendry hockey arena. The Friends of the Young Canadians make this day very special by throwing a barbeque with our guest performers, faculty, and stage crew. This year’s theme was “the good old west”. We also take some time to cast our ballots for the Young Canadians who we individually feel is the best leader. Before the show on Friday July, 13 we will find out who receives the “Enbridge Citizens of Tomorrow award” and the Senior winner’s will be awarded a scholarship they can put towards their post secondary education. This day does not mark the end of our rehearsals; we start running the show outdoors

at the Grandstand stage. At this time the final elements of the show come to life, the lights, fireworks, fly wires, video screens, and elevators all add to a show that will hopefully blow many out of the water. Some say it’s their last rehearsal at Stew Hendry forever, while others think about what the show is going to become. Something we will all be sure of when the show opens in a few days!

Yc’s taking a break and enjoying the BBQ put on by the Friends of the Young Canadians!

2012 Calgary Stampede App !

Jun

2012

by Sarah Hope-Johnston, Next Generation committee volunteer

Howdy!!

I’ve just downloaded what might be my fave new app, it’s the official app of The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth! Let’s Turn 100 Together! Make the most of the Centennial Calgary Stampede by building your own schedule – customized to suit whatever YOU like. Are you into music? Love contests? Looking to buy rodeo tickets? Want up to date info on everything Stampede via Twitter, Flickr, or Facebook? This app has you covered, friends!

You can drop a pin on the map and see what is happening around you- real time! Want to upload a photo from Instagram to share with other app users? No problem! It’s super great and I recommend you go download this free planner now to make sure you’re not left out for this year’s 100^th birthday bash for the Stampede. It’s going to be the best yet!

And speaking of the 100th Stampede kicking off, I wanted to remind all of our readers of our Time Capsule project.

Have you got some great vintage memorabilia kicking around in your basement you want to see included in the Time Capsule? We would love to hear about it! Send us an email to ngc.calgarystampede@gmail.com , contact us on Twitter , or leave a comment below. We have some totally AWESOME prizes to give away up our sleeves…think Rodeo & Evening Show tickets, as well as Johnny Reid tix! Let’s see your items Calgary!

** From June 10th-16th we will be sourcing great vintage photos, stories/newsclips, or poems to include in the Time Capsule. The winner will receive a pair of Rodeo Tickets for Saturday, July 7. So get your entries in yyc, we want to include your treasure in the #CStimecapsule!**

For updates and info on everything Stampede, make sure you follow us on Twitter at @calgarystampede and @CS_NGC, on Facebook through our official Facebook fan page, and stay tuned to the official Stampede Blog to learn more about some of the things happening on park because- We’re Greatest Together!

Gluten, Dairy and Nut Free food options at the Stampede!

Jun

2012

by James Radke, Midway manager

Watching what you eat this summer? Or maybe you have a food allergy?

Well, the Calgary Stampede doesn’t want that to stop you from checking out some of the new and tasty treats offered on the Midway this year. Come down and dine with us and we’re sure to give your taste buds a rollercoaster ride of flavour!

For those with a gluten or wheat allergy there are more options then ever awaiting you. Check out the French fries from Fresh Cut Fries, the spicy pad thai from Island Noodle Stir Fry, or the Savage Lands salad from the Mighty Skillet.

Maybe you want to get some of that good old-fashion protein? Well you can grab some Pork Chops on stick, BBQ beef or even German Sausage. Not enough meat? Second to None Meats has a huge variety to choose from – just kick the bun to the curb!

For those seeking some ethnic cuisine can check out Los Compadres which offers corn tortillas that are nut and gluten free. They also have Steak Tacos, Pastor Tacos, Esquites and Quesidillas, all gluten free, with the option of dairy free. Want something spicy? Ace Curries To Go have spicy curries that are gluten and nut free.

Oh, and let’s not forget the Naaco Truck which will be serving up Naaco Bites, Bolly Chips and three different Naaco options, all with the option of gluten and dairy free. For those with nut allergies, the only nuts used at The Naaco Truck are sesame seeds.

Now that we have all that straighted away, let’s talk sweets! Grab some gluten free ice cream from Mackay’s Ice Cream, or maybe some delicious fudge from Old Fashion Fudge. But wait! What about those who have a dairy allergy? Check out Candytime’s huge variety of candies to satisfy your sweet tooth.

It’s because We’re Greatest Together that we want to make sure you have an amazing time on Park. Don’t let your food allergies keep you away from exploring the mouth-watering cuisine found on the Midway.

Check out more information on some of the gluten, dairy and nut free options by clicking here.

10 Questions With…Ruth Ann Rayner, Member of the Caravan Committee (Part Two)

May

2012

by Sarah Hope-Johnston, Next Generation committee volunteer

Morning everyone! Today I’m posting the second half of my interview with Ruth Ann Rayner, a 30 year veteran Stampede Volunteer working on the amazing Caravan committee. If you missed yesterday’s post, you can find it here. I hope you’ll enjoy reading the remainder of my conversation with Ruth Ann. She is absolutely an amazing spirit and we as an organization are so lucky to have her as a spokesperson.

6. What has been the largest crowd you have served for? That’s surely a ton of pancakes and sausages! Could you share some ‘stats’ on how much food is served on an average breakfast?

Well, on a typical year (and of course this year is atypical!) – We’d serve 200 000 pancakes which is approximately 5 tons of mix- enough to fill an Olympic size pool. We’d cook up 4 tons sausage patties, 100 000 juice boxes, and use up 3000 litres of maple syrup. And this year of course with the early promotions for the Centennial these numbers would only multiply. Incredible!

7. Do you serve breakfast rain or shine? July is known for some temperamental weather, especially Stampede week?

Oh yes. We know to carry our slickers, hat covers, rubber boots- there have been some Julys that are very unpredictable. I remember very clearly one morning at Southland Leisure Centre- I was on stage and it was snowing- they opened the back of the building so that the crowd could be served inside. It was so cold I was wearing earmuffs. Then there was 1989 at Glenmore Landing- Monday AM – it poured rain, the band couldn’t play, the stoves couldn’t work…we started making boats and played with those in parking lot! When we were in England in 1980 the tables were sinking into the mud. We can handle anything – you truly just have to roll with what the weather brings you.

8. Where can people find out about where the Caravan members will be hosting breakfasts ahead of time? We wouldn’t want anyone to miss out on any delicious pancakes!

Best way is our own website. You can also tune in to about 10 different radio stations that will broadcast what I’ve called in to. Country 105 usually stops by in their pancake patrol car.

9. What are you most looking forward to during this year’s 10-day Stampede?

I am interested to find out how many people get into the swing of things. I’m hoping to see folks dressing in a retro manner- Guy Weadick sloped hats, a great big neckerchiefs. I also think it will be peoples enthusiasm – we as a city are so incredible. How will we step up to the plate to enjoy this?

We are lucky as Caravan members; our mandate is to come to every part of the city so all Calgarians can get a Taste of Stampede. I’m pleased to see that the Calgary Herald has stepped up and the second section on Sunday’s paper is dedicated to the history of the Stampede. I feel like the pre hype is setting the stage for the most incredible experience yet.

10. As we celebrate our 100 Year Centennial Calgary Stampede, where do you see us in the next 100 years?

Well, if you look back to 100 years ago, in many ways we don’t look that much different. There is still a rodeo, and chuckwagons- but we have new technologies for interacting with our patrons. Who knows what will be out there- I really think it is going to be the same, it is still people working together to make sure Calgarians and our visitors are getting together to enjoy the city and celebrate our western heritage whether it is the Centennial or 2015.

One last thing I’d love to say that we’ve adopted as our mantra at Caravan…we’re a good group that just keeps on keeping on.

Ruth Ann, thank you for taking some time to chat with me. It is so evident from our conversation that you are a unique and wonderful person, one who has a passion for life and for our treasured western values. May this Stampede be your most favourite yet!

For updates and info on everything Stampede, make sure you follow us on Twitter at@calgarystampede and @CS_NGC, on Facebook through our official Facebook fan page, and stay tuned to the official Stampede Blog to learn more about some of the things happening Here. All Year.

10 Questions with Ruth Ann Rayner, Member of the Stampede Caravan Committee (Part One)

May

2012

by Sarah Hope-Johnston, Next Generation committee volunteer

Today I’m bringing back our feature series “10 Questions With…” highlighting some wonderful people within the Calgary Stampede organization. We hope this will enlighten and entertain, as well as provide some behind the scenes information to our loyal blog readers. Even the most seasoned Calgary Stampede veteran can learn a thing or two from these interviews!

I had the pleasure of interviewing Ruth Ann Rayner, a Stampede Caravan committee volunteer who has been with the Calgary Stampede for 30 years! Ruth Ann has been officially named the “Voice of Caravan”, she truly loves to speak about the Stampede and her fellow committee members- so much so, that I’m going to split this post in two. Tomorrow I will post part 2, so be sure to check back for the second half! So without further ado I present to you:

10 Questions with Ruth Ann Rayner, Member of the Stampede Caravan Committee

1. How long have you been a Calgary Stampede Caravan volunteer, and what made you decide to get involved?

I joined 30 yrs ago, with my late husband Doug- he was a batter beater! Those were back in the days when we used a clean broomstick to beat the pancake batter in a pail- there were only 30 of us volunteers on the committee at the time and we did one breakfast a day Monday to Friday (Stampede was only a week long!). Anything Doug participated in he wanted me to share, so this was just another way for us to spend time in each other’s company. I truly enjoyed the very beginnings of my time as a Stampede volunteer, driving to the breakfasts together and me calling in to Country 105 to advertise each morning. This was the start of my road to becoming the ‘Voice of the Caravan’ and an MC.

As an MC, my duties are to entertain and inform our guests who are welcome to join us from 9 a.m. -11 a.m. each morning. I will announce where to find the kid zone for the petting zoo and other areas of interest at each particular venue we are at for the morning. I’ll also introduce the Stampede Royalty (Queens and Princesses & Indian Princess), Stampede dignitaries such as President Mike Casey or Mayor Nenshi… its similar to running a 10-ring circus- you’re never sure what will be happening ten minutes later! I thoroughly enjoy it!

2. Just how many pancake breakfasts does Caravan offer thru the year, and more specifically…how many during the 10-day Calgary Stampede? You must have a very organized calendar to keep track of everything!

So during the 10-day show, we have 7 days where we have two breakfasts a day that feed on average about 5000 people. (That’s 70,000 just in 14 breakfasts!) Then, on the first Sunday we are responsible for cooking for Suncor Energy Family Day which will see about 20,000 people lining up for our pancakes from 7-930am. (*Sarah’s note: for those that don’t know, there will be free admission on park from 6-9 a.m. and FREE breakfast is served in the Grandstand Courtyard from 7-9:30am!)

On top of our Stampede breakfasts, we do run smaller outside breakfasts that we host for various communities and charities. This year in particular, being the 100^th anniversary, we will be hosting 14 additional breakfasts linked to the Stampede celebration for the Centennial (just another cool 34,000 people!). These breakfasts include the BURNCO 4-Corners community events happening thru May and June of this year. (*Sarah’s note: there are two 4-Corners events remaining- one this Saturday, May 26 at Cardel Place and lastly, Saturday, June 2 at Westside Recreation Centre. We hope to see you all there!)

So some grand totals from May 1- July 15: we will have served approximately 150,000 people attending our breakfasts. Our committee has grown from 30 to 160 strong- we work extremely well together and can be likened to a well-oiled machine- we are truly so organized.

3. Putting together a Caravan breakfast doesn’t happen without a lot of hard work, I am sure- could you tell us what a ‘typical’ morning looks like in the eyes of a volunteer?

Since we have 2 breakfasts a day, we have two identical teams. So say 80 of us might be at Southcentre Mall, but the other 80 are at Sunridge Mall. There is no difference between the two- its exactly the same Caravan breakfast. If you attended one, then decided to head up Deerfoot for the other- you’d likely not notice much of a difference!

My day starts at 5 a.m. I will call the radio stations to let them know where the 2 breakfasts will be that day, organize appearances from radio/tv! (*Sarah’s note: can you get the impression of why Ruth Ann is named the voice of caravan!)

On a typical morning, we all know our specific roles. We know who is driving the batter van, who is in charge of the Kids Zone, etc. Some folks will head to Big Rock (our sponsor that generously holds the goods- frozen sausage, eggs etc) at 6am for loading batter vans and equipment. Usually they are preloaded at lunch for the next day other than the foodstuff. Then they’ll proceed to their location of the day. From 7-9 a.m. we all set up for breakfast. Staff breakfast is at 8 a.m., and then we go to the station we’re working. Feed and entertain from 9-11 a.m. We’ll break down, then meet the other crew to have lunch at Big Rock for 2 p.m. Most head home for a nap after that, take a shower…then its time to head to the Chucks! The only days we don’t have a breakfast during the 10-day show is Parade Day Friday or the Final Sunday.

4. Your schedule sounds grueling but also I’m sure, quite rewarding. Has there been a highlight breakfast that you have attended thus far?

The very first one. It was incredible! To watch these 30 people set up tables, set up the stove (back then we used to fry bacon and put the batter over that). To see how everyone worked together! To me, the fun the volunteers had and the people who attended to get the free breakfast- the appreciation of what we did. That’s all it took and I was hooked- my enthusiasm was sky-high. I will never forget it- it was on the corner of McLeod Trail and Southland Drive.

5. I know that these amazing gatherings are not limited to Calgary, where else on the globe has a community been privy to such great Stampede hospitality?

You might be able to say that we have conquered the world one pancake at a time. We’ve literally been all over the globe. Some highlights include the 2003 Toronto SARS Fest, in 2006 the Canadian Embassy invited us to serve breakfast on Canada Day in Washington,DC when the Alberta exhibit was at the Smithsonian. The Stampede stage drove down and was back by July 7! There was 2008 Quebec Winter Carnival, we’ve been to Hong Kong, England, Scotland, Florida, Montana, Oregon, all over Canada…the list goes on!

**Phew! This is Part 1 of a 2 part blog post interview with Ruth Ann- please be sure to come and read the second half tomorrow!

Should you have some burning questions in the back of your mind that you’ve always wanted to ask a member of the organization, why not drop us a line? We’d be happy to take any request into consideration. Stay tuned for more new and exciting “10 Questions With…” as we approach this year’s 100^th Calgary Stampede.

The Friendly Faces of Stampede: Volunteer Profile – Maggie Schofield, Reception Committee

May

2012

by Shannon McNeney, Next Generation Committee Volunteer

I was lucky enough to wrangle up Maggie Schofield, Executive Director of the Calgary Downtown Association and a member (and past Chairman) of the Reception Committee to answer a couple of questions about her volunteer experience with the Calgary Stampede.

The Reception Committee looks after all of the Stampede volunteers and their friends and families, giving them a place to meet, relax, enjoy some entertainment and camaraderie, and makes sure they are fed and watered throughout the 10 days.

1) What year did you become a Stampede volunteer and why did you decide to get involved?

I became involved with the Stampede in 1989. I wanted to reconnect with the Stampede, as it is such a big part of our summer and that seemed the best way to do it. It was also a great way of corporate networking. I hadn’t been on Park for nearly 10 years.

2) What is one of your favorite Stampede memories?

Watching the stock horses come in from the ranch into the Saddledome in 2000. The freedom of the animals, and the power of them swirling in a circle was overwhelming. Even the real, working cowboys and ranchers in the crowd had tears in their eyes. It was one of those magic moments at the Stampede that was an unplanned, spontaneous event. I was able to share it with a good friend who was in Calgary on business from Kansas City.

3) What Stampede experience or event are you looking forward to the most this year?

There will be so many great celebrations for the centennial that it is hard to imagine what will be the best, but I am looking forward to seeing Ian Tyson as Parade Marshall, and Paul Brant performing at the Grandstand.

4) What’s your favorite midway food?

Fiddlesticks.

5) What’s your best advice for a fun Stampede?

Comfortable shoes! Try not to plan every moment, as many activities will pop up and there will be great opportunities to see great things and meet wonderful people from Calgary and around the world. Know that the Stampede happens in a lot of areas of the city, not just Stampede Park, so make the effort to go to different locations.

For more Stampede Stories check out My Stampede where you can view personal stories and share your own for the chance to win some incredible prize packages!

Food Glorious Food

May

2012

by Ryan Wallace, The Young Canadians

All this talk about the new food coming to midway is definitely exciting. Looking back on the year at the Young Canadians, I can see everything we were taught about nutrition is going to be difficult to remember when surrounded by all this delicious food. Our nutritionists Robyn and Carey know a lot about food, and don’t hesitate to educate my fellow Young Canadian colleagues and our parents about what we should and should not be putting in our bodies. We learn about what we should be looking for on food labels, how to make effective meal schedules, the importance of water, and so many more things that we should keep in mind when we are shopping to fuel our bodies. This is definitely an amazing perk for us to be at our best physcially and in what we eat – but seriously Stampede is coming and who wouldn’t want to try some deep fried kool-aid and we all know that Jack Daniels fudge does sound delicious.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE NEW FOOD ON MIDWAY