5,000 pancakes dished up as CBC Calgary hosts last Stampede breakfast at Memorial Drive building
Thousands packed the parking lot in Hillhurst for pancakes, coffee and fun
Thousands of people lined up around the block Thursday morning to scarf down more than 5,000 pancakes at the last CBC Sobeys Stampede Breakfast at the broadcaster's current location on Memorial Drive before a move later this year.
It has been more than three decades since CBC Calgary first hosted a Stampede breakfast in its parking lot off Memorial Drive at 1724 Westmount Blvd. N.W. In the fall, it will be moving about four kilometres west to a new leased location at the Cambrian Wellness Centre at 2000 Veteran's Place N.W.
At the breakfast that unofficially kicks off the the Calgary Stampede, The Calgary Eyeopener was on the air with live music from Tim Hus, and the CBC Kids mascot Daniel Tiger roamed through the crowds to entertain the little ones as the lineup snaked right around the broadcast centre.
The Calgary Food Bank raised a total of $5,027 in donations, inlcuding a matching donation by Sobeys.
There were pancakes, in case that wasn't clear. And coffee. Lots of coffee.
Check out the photos from the event below and in our blog at the bottom:
The Homestretch host Doug Dirks, left, and The Calgary Eyeopener host David Gray get ready to greet thousands of Calgarians at the breakfast.
It was a hungry crowd — more than 5,000 pancakes were served up.
CBC Kids mascot Daniel the Tiger got lots of hugs.
This youngster enjoyed the colouring table.
Pancake artists made sure no one forgot where they were.
About 2,800 people dropped by to join the celebrations.
If you weren't able to make it, check the live updates posted through the morning by our CBC team.
You can see more photos and video from the breakfast, including a pancake protrait of Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi, lasso tricks, cowboy songs and more (including, perhaps a photo of you if you were there), by scrolling through our blog below. On mobile? Review the blog here.
- Check out this video from one of our early CBC Calgary Stampede breakfasts, back in 1985.
