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‘It tells a story about our western roots and traditions, but also tells the story of the Calgary that we are today,’ said Mayor Jeromy Farkas
Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas leads the crowd in a lively yahoo alongside Aleta Visbach (left) and Leslie Horton at the Legacy Stampede Breakfast at Heritage Park in Calgary on Sunday, July 5, 2026. Robert Lee/Postmedia
Mayor Jeromy Farkas recalled nervously working a crowd at the Hays Breakfast 10 years ago, handshaking his way into the political establishment to earn a spot on city council.
On Sunday, he returned as leader of the city.
“It’s quite emotional to be back,” Farkas told Postmedia.
“Because this is really a who’s who of Calgary. It’s not just the old ranching families, it’s also the current-day leaders, the leaders in business, volunteerism, and the not-for-profit sector.”
The Legacy Stampede Breakfast welcomes community, business and government guests for a morning of western hospitality at Heritage Park in Calgary on Sunday, July 5, 2026. Hosted by broadcaster Leslie Horton, the event featured live performances by the Calgary Fiddlers and Youth Singers of Calgary, along with a special appearance by the Grey Cup in Calgary. Robert Lee/Postmedia
Considered the most prestigious Stampede breakfast in the city, the invite-only event has featured prominent Calgarians and Rotary Club volunteers, who brought back the seven-decade-long tradition Sunday, seven years after its discontinuation.
“It tells a story about our western roots and traditions, but also tells the story of the Calgary that we are today,” Farkas added.
Now dubbed the Legacy Breakfast, the event held on to many of its predecessor’s beloved traditions, which was started by former mayor and senator Harry Hays in 1950, and ran for nearly seven decades before the Hays family decided to call it quits.
Bagpipes welcome Wendy the cow in preparation for concocting the Trail Boss Tonic at the Legacy Stampede Breakfast at Heritage Park in Calgary on Sunday, July 5, 2026. Robert Lee/Postmedia
A man adjusts Wendy the cow’s flower crown prior to her contribution to the Trail Boss Tonic at the Legacy Stampede Breakfast at Heritage Park in Calgary on Sunday, July 5, 2026. Robert Lee/Postmedia
But many attendees greatly missed breakfast over the years, said event volunteer and president of CBI Business Solutions, Catherine Brownlee, in a recent interview.
“It was, for 69 years, the Stampede event that everybody wanted to be at,” she said. “If you had an invitation to be able to attend, you felt blessed to be able to be there.”
Aleta Visbach (left) explains the various ingredients that go into concocting the Trail Boss Tonic at the Legacy Stampede Breakfast at Heritage Park in Calgary on Sunday, July 5, 2026. Robert Lee/Postmedia
Politicians, first responders, volunteers among attendees
The event began with the national anthem, sung by Donna Nagera and the Sound of the Rockies. It was followed by a speech by Farkas, the ceremonial milking of a cow for a mystery concoction the Hays family has labelled “Syllabub,” and an address by Premier Danielle Smith.
“I’m so glad that this event has been resurrected, and that we’re going to be able to continue enjoying it for many more decades to come,” Smith said.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith addresses attendees of the Legacy Stampede Breakfast at Heritage Park in Calgary on Sunday, July 5, 2026. Robert Lee/Postmedia
The event, which honoured military brass, was attended by several politicians, including Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi, Minister of Advanced Education Myles McDougall and NDP MLA Kathleen Ganley. First responders and Flames and Stampeders players were also in attendance.
Members of the HMSC and Canadian Armed Forces pose for a photo at the Legacy Stampede Breakfast at Heritage Park in Calgary on Sunday, July 5, 2026. Robert Lee/Postmedia
Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi speaks with attendees of the Legacy Stampede Breakfast at Heritage Park in Calgary on Sunday, July 5, 2026. Robert Lee/Postmedia
It was Alan Ulsifer’s first time there. Ulsifer, CEO of FYidoctors, said he felt “privileged” to be invited.
“Hadn’t been to Heritage Park for a really long time, and I don’t know why,” he said. “There are lots of politicians and community leaders, so it’s been fun driving around and talking to people.”
Meanwhile, Paul Chave has lost count of how many times he’s been to the Hays Breakfast.
Chave, a Rotary Club volunteer, said it was wonderful to see the breakfast back in a modern iteration. “It’s an event that, I think, really brings the community together,” he said. “I’m disappointed the prime minister hasn’t shown up, but you know he’s been here in years gone by.”
First Nations Princess Raegan First Rider (left) and Stampede Princess Sarah O’Brien pose for a photo at the Legacy Stampede Breakfast at Heritage Park in Calgary on Sunday, July 5, 2026. Robert Lee/Postmedia
The Legacy Stampede Breakfast welcomes community, business and government guests for a morning of western hospitality at Heritage Park in Calgary on Sunday, July 5, 2026. Robert Lee/Postmedia
The Calgary Fiddlers perform at the Legacy Stampede Breakfast at Heritage Park in Calgary on Sunday, July 5, 2026. Robert Lee/Postmedia
The Legacy Stampede Breakfast welcomes community, business and government guests for a morning of western hospitality at Heritage Park in Calgary on Sunday, July 5, 2026. Robert Lee/Postmedia
The Legacy Stampede Breakfast welcomes community, business and government guests for a morning of western hospitality at Heritage Park in Calgary on Sunday, July 5, 2026. Robert Lee/Postmedia
The Old Roses serenade Legacy Stampede Breakfast attendees at Heritage Park in Calgary on Sunday, July 5, 2026. Robert Lee/Postmedia
The Legacy Stampede Breakfast welcomes community, business and government guests for a morning of western hospitality at Heritage Park in Calgary on Sunday, July 5, 2026. Hosted by broadcaster Leslie Horton, the event featured live performances by the Calgary Fiddlers and Youth Singers of Calgary, along with a special appearance by the Grey Cup in Calgary. Robert Lee/Postmedia
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