Longtime Calgary Stampede food vendors happy to be back despite smaller crowds

Big summer events like the Calgary Stampede are the bread and butter for many food service businesses, but with fewer visitors on the grounds this year it's a bit of a gamble for the vendors who came to set up shop.

The owners of Steve-O's Homestyle Fried Chicken have been coming to the Stampede for the last six or seven years and they're back this year.

Justice Cook says he's getting steady pockets of people queuing up, but not the steady streams of years past.

"In the beginning, I'd say we were down 75, maybe 85 per cent, but it's picking up a little each day. We still come out and give it 100 per cent," Cook said.

Tessa Jessa-Bedford, co-owner of the Little Donut Bakery, says she and her husband weren't entirely sure what to expect this year.

"We're actually a brand new vendor. This is our very first time out serving the public with this business, so we don't have much to compare it to directly, but given our previous experience with the previous businesses at Stampede, it is a little lighter, which we did expect for COVID restrictions," she said.

"But we are actually really impressed with the crowds that have come out. It feels like there is an appetite to get a little more back to normal." 

Jessa-Bedford says she and her husband are happy they attended this year. And they've employed several teens and young adults who are grateful for the experience and the paycheque. 

Rob Reinhardt is also glad he came. He and his wife own Saskatoon-based Prairie Smoke and Spice, which has been a mainstay at the Stampede for years. 

Day or night, you'd normally see multiple lines of people clamouring for brisket, ribs and other barbecue favourites.

But while sales are down because of the diminished crowds, Reindhard says there are still a lot of positives.

"Here's how I look at it. I don't think we are going to lose money, and I'm guaranteed I won't make any money sitting on my couch at home," he said. 

Reindhard said he's happy to see staff — who have struggled to find work during the pandemic — back behind the grills again. 

And he says while the crowds are much smaller, people do seem to have brought their appetites.

All three vendors are booked for other fairs and festivals this summer, but several on their usual circuit aren't happening, or have been scaled down because of the pandemic.

They hope things pick up as the summer goes on as more people are vaccinated and more restrictions are lifted in other parts of the country.

Caterers also impacted

Demand for catered pancake breakfasts, lunches and dinners also took a dive this year.

Catering companies are swamped with bookings around Stampede time. But Jennifer Jeffery, co-owner of Fork and Farm Catered Events, said it has been pretty slow.

"It seems as though everything is still a little spontaneous and last minute compared to years past where we would have bookings secure about six months to a year out," she told The Homestretch.

She said in most years, the company would be catering corporate breakfasts and at least 10 receptions or barbecues.

The caterer said they have already had a lot of weddings booked, and even a Christmas party.

"I want to see events go, and I want our brides and grooms married and I certainly don't want to go back to where we were last year by having cancellations," she said.

"There's talk of a fourth wave and I certainly hope not because we are planning full swing ahead."