Harper doles out pancakes and handshakes at Calgary Stampede

Extended: Stephen Harper serves up pancakes Prime Minister Stephen Harper serves up some early morning pancakes at the Calgary Stampede.

CALGARY - It was all about pancakes and handshakes for Prime Minister Stephen Harper this morning.

The prime minister was serving pancakes at the Stampede breakfast at Chinook Centre - the largest breakfast during the 10-day cowboy festival that attracts about 50,000 people.

Harper chatted and shook hands with Stampede revellers while those manning the grill tried to keep up with demand.

There was a long lineup of people waiting for a free breakfast of pancakes, sausage and coffee.

Harper will be rubbing elbows with fellow Conservatives and give a speech this evening at his annual constituency barbecue at Heritage Park.

The prime minister also attended the Calgary Stampede parade on Friday.