Cool thing #31 – The Millarville Races and
Cool thing #32 – The Calgary Stampede
2 more great reasons to Explore Alberta
I love that summer starts with a big bang in Calgary. We get dressed up in red and white for Canada Day…
Alberta meets Canada Day – photo – Karen Anderson
Volunteers are the true team Canada – photo – Karen Anderson
Canada Day fashion – photo – Karen Anderson
…and then we rock our maverick culture with an ode to western heritage for the 10 days of The Calgary Stampede. It’s the world’s largest outdoor show and one of the world’s largest music festivals.
This post will be a photo essay of how I usually spend Canada Day – at the Millarville Races – along with some food ideas for your own celebrations and then a quick look at the fun of our beloved Calgary Stampede.
My friend Irene has great Canada Day spirit – photo – Karen Anderson
Sometimes it takes an immigrant to Canada to help us pause to appreciate the freedom to celebrate our country on its birthday.
My friend Irene does that for me. She immigrated from The Netherlands where land is scarce and the people don’t take it for granted. They also appreciate that Canadians fought in WW2 to allow them to keep what land they’ve got.
My friend’s husband was originally from England. They both love that they can own a few acres of land in Canada and so every Canada Day they invite us down to enjoy being on that land in our land. We all trundle off to the nearby Millarville Races to bet on some ponies and get good and hot before returning to cold Pimm’s Cocktails (I mentioned his British heritage right?) and jump in the water.
Life is good in Canada.
I’m deeply grateful to Irene for her spirit and for the fun of joining in an event that’s been run for 109 years in Alberta – The Millarville Races. Here’s a few photos of the fun.
Millarville Races – photo – Karen Anderson
betting strategy at the Millarville Races – photo – Karen Anderson
Millarville Races – photo – Karen Anderson
We start young – photo – Karen Anderson
Millarville Races – photo – Karen Anderson
Of course, I also appreciate the food of this land – Alberta and Canada – and food is a big part of every Canada Day celebration for us. Here’s a look at some of my favourite things to eat on our National Holiday. You’ll note lots of great red and white foods.
sweety drop peppers – photo – Karen Anderson
goat ricotta – photo – Karen Anderson
red radishes – photo – Karen Anderson
smoked salmon on blini – photo – Karen Anderson
What is Alberta’s food? – photo – Karen Anderson
Grizzly Bear Salad – photo – Karen Anderson
Daquiri – photo – Karen Anderson
early summer lettuce – photo – Karen Anderson
tomatoes and cheese – any way you slice them – photo – Karen Anderson
burgers always work – photo – Karen Anderson
a great way to cook Alberta Beef – photo – Karen Anderson
Veggy burger – photo – Karen Anderson
lobster is nice for Canada Day – photo – Karen Anderson
Fiddleheads are very Canadian – if you can get them – photo – Karen Anderson
strawberries and balsamic – photo – Karen Anderson
pick your berry – photo – Karen Anderson
strawberries are summer food – photo – Karen Anderson
cherries are ready for Canada Day – photo – Karen Anderson
ice cream and strawberries – photo – Karen Anderson
strawberries and cream with white cake – photo – Karen Anderson
Strawberry Shortcake – photo – Karen Anderson
cream pies are summer pies – photo – Karen Anderson
Raspberry, Blueberry and Strawberry Rhubarb summer pies at Mom’s – photo – Karen Anderson
From Canada Day feasting we roll right into The Calgary Stampede. I’ve got 30 plus years of Stampeding under my belt buckle now and I love the spirit our city shares with the world each year. It’s really something to experience. I hope you all get to come and savour it all for yourselves. Here’s some photos of what its like for me and mine.
me and my friend Tilly at Stampede 2012 – photo – Adam Chaisson
Stampede footwear – photo – Karen Anderson
Mayor Nenshi on his annual horse ride at the Calgary Stampede Parade – Karen Anderson
horses – photo – Karen Anderson
big hat – photo – Karen Anderson
horse’s asses – photo – Karen Anderson
Stampede Spirit – photo – Karen Anderson
A pitcher of margaritas – photo – Karen Anderson
stampede humour – photo – Karen Anderson
appearing at the Stampede Kitchen local food showcase – photo – Karen Anderson
Trying new food is fun – photo credit – Nora Seto
Stampede showcase of local food – photo – Adam Chiasson
classic house of fun – photo – Karen Anderson
there’s always an exciting new ride for the kids – photo – Karen Anderson
my kind of ride – photo – Karen Anderson
A day at the Stampede Grounds with family and friends is a Calgary tradition – photo – Karen Anderson
The exciting chuckwagon races – photo – Karen Anderson
Grandstand show finale – photo – Karen Anderson
sleepy horse – photo – Karen Anderson
Stampeded out – photo – Karen Anderson
Hat by Alberta country music star Terri Clark – photo – Karen Anderson
Special thanks to Irene DeBruin for her Canada Day spirit and for Richard and Nora Seto for their Stampede Spirit!
