By Joel Dryden
Yee-haw! July in Calgary can only mean one thing – it’s Stampede time. The annual extravaganza is expected to draw rodeo fans from around the world for a 10-day bash – but even if the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth isn’t your thing, there’s plenty more on the docket this July. [Photo credit: Calgary Stampede]
Though the adventurous among us may get our fill of grub along the midway at the Stampede – crispy chicken feet on a stick, anyone? – there’s no shame in pacing yourself as the month kicks off.
Head down to the historic Grain Exchange Building to grab a sandwich from Meat & Bread, which opened its doors in mid-June. A Vancouver transplant, Meat & Bread’s central location makes it the perfect spot to grab the daily special while you’re on your lunch break.
It’s tough to miss the new location for Parm, a new wood-fired pizza shop, as you make your way through downtown Calgary. Located in Victoria Park, Parm’s new bright yellow paint job gives it a friendly appeal in the former space of Amantea Italian Restaurant and Market. The wood-fired ingredients and house-made sauce don’t hurt, either.
But any monthly roundup of goings-on in Calgary would be remiss without mention of our very own long-awaited Regal Cat Café. The city’s first cat café opened June 24 with a line that stretched down the block. With a number of adorable adoptable kittens from the MEOW Foundation roaming the café, you may just never want to leave.
We hope you like celebrations, because July is shaping up to be a month-long party in Calgary. After we all celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday (whether you attend celebrations or catch the fireworks), there’s no time to catch your breath as the 2017 Calgary Stampede kicks off just six days later. There’s plenty to do at the festival whether you’re a rodeo aficionado, music fan or you just want to enjoy the 10 days of Stampede on the cheap.
If country music and mutton busting isn’t your thing, you might have a better time at this year’s iteration of the Calgary Folk Music Festival. With artists like City and Colour, Blue Rodeo and the Barenaked Ladies rocking the main stage at beautiful Prince’s Island Park, Calgary Folk Fest promises yet again to close July out on a lively note.
Though Stampede and Folk Fest loom large on the calendar this month, there’s plenty more to keep you occupied. Whether you’re a dedicated cyclist or an aspiring cosplayer, there’s a festival for you this month – let Shane Flug be your guide in this Smart Tip.
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Discover more things to do in Calgary this July:
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Of course, some of the best parts of the Stampede don’t even take place on the festival grounds. Don’t miss partaking in a beloved Calgarian tradition, the hallowed Stampede breakfast. Our Smart List will show you just a few local merchants flipping free flapjacks throughout the 10 days of Stampede.
Though Scrollio Rolled Ice Cream has been doling out the Thai-style rolled treats since it opened its doors in May 2017, you have another chance to try out the snack on the Stampede midway. For a full list of food events on the schedule this July, check out Giselle Wedemire’s Smart Tip.
Of course, it’s always possible that festival season motivates you to pack up the car and head out of town. If you enjoy your peace and quiet, Shane Flug’s guide to Canmore is a great piece to tuck in your back pocket as you leave Calgary in the rearview mirror.
From the Calgary Stampede to the Folk Festival, there’s no question that July ranks among the busiest months in Calgary. Enjoy the celebrations and the warm weather – and perhaps even your very own chicken foot on a stick.
