You can gauge the moxy of a politician pretty quickly by how accurately they can flip a griddle-seared flapjack during Calgary Stampede, and to be frank, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith can sure toss a cake.
Politicians were out in full force at this year’s First Flip pancake breakfast, the unofficial start to the Calgary Stampede, which was hosted on Stephen Avenue outside the Telus Convention Centre early morning on July 2, 2026. The event is an annual collaboration between Calgary Arts Development, the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, Calgary Downtown Association, Calgary Economic Development, Calgary Hotel Association, Calgary Telus Convention Centre, Platform Calgary, and Tourism Calgary.
Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas said that as a kid growing up in east Calgary, being able to flip hotcakes at the Calgary Stampede was a dream come true. He said he’d been practicing flipping pancakes at home, but…
“It’s for me, the first time. I’m hoping that will be extended some grace, but I feel like it is a bit of a high-stakes endeavour,” he told reporters.
“They say it doesn’t matter, but I think there’s going to be like instant replay, video analysis, and all the rest.”
All fun aside, Mayor Farkas said that the Calgary Stampede is a time when the city gets to welcome the world.
“What I love about Stampede is that it tells a story about our western roots, but it also tells a story about the city that we become,” he said.
“As we grow to be a city of 2 million people, the Stampede matters more than ever. It says that no matter where you came from, you belong here; no matter how you worship, who you love, you belong here. I’m so thrilled to be at the center of it.”
Farkas said with all the celebration of the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, this year feels a little heavier than normal. He said the debate over Alberta separation looms large, as does talk of a new pipeline announcement. Not to mention ongoing municipal challenges around infrastructure. He expected dozens of federal and provincial politicians to be making the rounds during this year’s Calgary Stampede.
“This is ground zero. They joke about Stampede being the politician petting zoo, but I think it’s true this year more than ever,” he said.
Photos from the First Flip 2026
