Stampede season gets unofficial launch at Community Round-Up pancake breakfast

Hundreds got an early start on the funs with free pancakes and entertainment on the Tsuut'ina Nation. Tyler Barrow reports.

The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth is less than a month away, and a few Calgarians got an early start on the fun Saturday with free pancakes and entertainment on Tsuut’ina Nation.

Stampede season unofficially kicked off Saturday when about 2,500 people attended the Calgary Stampede Community Round Up.

One visitor summed it up.

“Enjoy the festivities, come out, be part of the community and enjoy some early Stampede eating,” they said.

The pancake breakfast featured tons of family fun, including family tractor races, horse carriage pulls, along with wagon rides.

No one minded having to wait in line for their turn Saturday.

“We’re having some pancakes, we’re going to go for a wagon ride. We’re getting ready to celebrate Stampede!” said another visitor.

There was also cowboy hat decorating, some cute animals so really, something for everyone.

“To be able to talk to people like, from everywhere -- and then you can see the show, too, for free. It’s amazing!” said one young Stampede fan.

Organizers say the event is just a taste of what to expect when the real Stampede arrives in Calgary from July 3 to 12th.

The Stampede Community Round-Up was held at 7 Chiefs Sportsplex and Chief Jim Starlight Centre on Tsuut’ina Nation.

“We’re happy for Calgary and surrounding communities to be a part of the Nation,” said Breonie MacMahon, 7 Chiefs Sportsplex and Starlight Centre events specialist.

While vendors like Pius Littlelight were happy to have Saturday’s event in their back yard.

“It just supports the small businesses and it brings everybody together,” said Littlelight.

“We’re so excited to be here at Seven Chiefs, celebrating this relationship and partnership with them,” said Pamela Humphreys, the chair of community projects and development committee, one of the Stampede volunteer committees."

“Stampede has an amazing relationship with the Treaty 7 and the Nations, and this is an example of that. We’re really excited to get into communities and people’s backyards and just start to kick off the celebration for Stampede.”

For more information about Tsuut’ina Nation, go here.

For more about the 2026 Calgary Stampede, go here.

With files from CTV News’ Tyler Barrow