First Flip breakfast kicks off Calgary Stampede with pancakes and politics

The first event of this year's Calgary Stampede takes place this morning on Stephen Avenue. Mason DePatie reports.

The First Flip pancake breakfast is underway in downtown Calgary, marking the unofficial start of the Calgary Stampede for thousands of attendees.

Breakfast begins at 7:30 a.m., with volunteers preparing pancakes while live entertainment gets underway.

Performers include The Frontiers, Kylie Austin, Green Fools Theatre and the Chinook Line Dancers.

The formal program begins at 8 a.m.

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The event is drawing political leaders from all three levels of government.

Federal Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne is attending, alongside dozens of Liberal MPs visiting Calgary during Stampede to promote Canadian unity.

Premier Danielle Smith is also scheduled to attend before making what the province says will be a significant announcement later Thursday regarding a potential West Coast pipeline route.

Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas will also participate in the morning festivities by serving at the grill.

The celebrations continue Thursday evening with Sneak-a-Peek, giving visitors early access to Stampede Park ahead of the official opening.

The Calgary Stampede Parade then takes place Friday morning. You can view it here on our website or after Your Morning Calgary on CTV.

Stampede generates hundreds of millions in economic activity

Beyond the festivities, the Calgary Stampede continues to be a major economic driver for Alberta.

A report commissioned by the Calgary Stampede found that the 10-day festival generated $721 million in total economic output across Alberta in 2025.

New data from Mastercard also highlights the boost for local businesses during Stampede.

Restaurant spending increases by 29 per cent during the festival — the largest jump among all spending categories. Retail stores and accommodation providers also see significant increases in consumer spending.

Business leaders note that these figures do not reflect the full value of investment, networking, and business deals occurring during Stampede week.

The Calgary Chamber of Commerce and Farkas will address the festival’s broader economic impact later Thursday.