Alberta Premier Danielle Smith meets supporters at the annual Premier's Stampede breakfast in Calgary, Monday, July 8, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
CALGARY – Throngs of people joined lineups to be served pancakes today by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith at her official Calgary Stampede breakfast.
It’s Smith’s second annual appearance for the traditional event, and the premier says this year the Stampede feels different.
Smith says there are more parties and events, and people are embracing the 10-day festival and rodeo as a chance to do business and honour the province’s heritage.
The premier’s office says staff at the government building that hosted the premier’s breakfast told them it was the largest in over a decade.
After serving up pancakes outside in her blue cowboy hat, Smith welcomed dignitaries from the United States.
In the long-honoured local ceremony, the premier offered white cowboy hats in exchange for their pledge to spread hospitality – capped off by a collective “yahoo!”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 8, 2024.
