The menu items for the 2024 Calgary Stampede have been released and there are some unique options for every taste bud.
There are more than 50 new midway menu items to try this year, including cheeseburger ice cream, watermelon burgers and a giant mozza stick on a stick.
“Every year, the Stampede’s midway is the ultimate destination for food enthusiasts seeking bold, daring and unique flavours that give our festival favourites unforgettable twists,” midway manager Ashley Warner said.
“The midway’s food vendors work all year to curate one-of-a-kind culinary creations that are exclusive to the Stampede.”
Swap out the carbs for fruit with the watermelon burger, which is served with feta, spinach and fresh mint, and topped with sesame seeds and a balsamic reduction.
If you’re a fan of watermelon, but the burger doesn’t sound up your alley, the refreshing fruit also comes served as a sandwich, stuffed with fluffy chocolate soft serve and fresh orange.
Pickles also seem to be a popular item this year, with pickle fry poutine, dill pickle poutine and spicy dill pickle ranch breadsticks on offer. Pizza lovers may also want to try Rick’s flamin’ hot Cheetos pickle pizza.
Dubbed the “boss off all mozza sticks,” Stampede-goers can also dive into a giant mozza stick on-a-stick. Two hands are recommended for anyone who dares to try this new twist on an old favourite.
The fresh Canadian mozzarella is coated in a homemade doughy batter and fried to ooey-gooey perfection. And no mozza stick would be complete without a side of ranch or marinara.
If something cool is your preference on a hot summer day, there are plenty of cold, icy treats to try, including cheeseburger ice cream. Barbecue-flavoured ice cream is infused with vanilla and served in a waffle cone.
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If that doesn’t sound like quite enough flavour, the cone is then dunked in hot cheese, sprinkled with sesame seeds and garnished with an onion ring and a pickle.
This year, Stampede Insiders were tasked with naming one of the new menu items, created by the Happy Fish. The dish is a takoyaki, full of meat floss, seaweed strips, pickled ginger, cabbage and large chunks of octopus.
More than 1,300 entries were received, with the winning name being “Cowboyaki.” The name is a fusion of the Stampede and the popular Japanese street food.
“Bringing our unique flavours to the Calgary Stampede is a highlight for us and the community’s enthusiasm in naming one of our exclusive dishes for this year has made this experience even more special,” said Ying Yan Situ, events and operations manager at Happy Fish Catering.
For those without an iron-clad stomach, the old favourites including mini doughnuts, cotton candy and an old fashioned corn dog are all still available.
This year’s Calgary Stampede runs from July 5 to 14.
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