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BMO and Calgary Stampede open a pancake drive-thru

July 10, 2020 | Giving and sponsorships

The Calgary Stampede fairgrounds have been much quieter than normal since the 2020 Stampede’s cancellation, but they were bustling once again recently with some physically-distanced Stampede spirit. The reason? The BMO Kids’ Day Pancake Drive-Thru on Wednesday, July 8.

The 108th Stampede was cancelled for the first time in history due to COVID-19, but as we’ve seen with many other traditions, just because an event is cancelled, doesn’t mean the community spirit behind it is.

A BMO employee makes pancakes at the Stampede drive-thru

A BMO employee makes pancakes at the Stampede drive-thru

“As a proud partner of the Calgary Stampede for over 100 years, we believe now, more than ever, is the time to find engaging, creative and safe ways to keep the spirit of this iconic Canadian event vibrant and alive,” said Josh Epstein, Head, Corporate Sponsorship.

With that in mind, BMO and the Stampede tweaked the almost 100-year-old pancake breakfast tradition, held for the last 16 of those years as part of BMO Kids’ Day, to be a physically-distance pancake drive-thru or cook-along with four of Canada’s youngest culinary talents, who shared their Stampede-inspired recipes for those who couldn’t attend in person.

There was a steady stream of vehicles all day at our drive-thru at Stampede Park and over 40,000 pancakes were served to attendees.

The oldest business relationship in Western Canada 

BMO’s relationship with the Calgary Stampede is the oldest business relationship in Western Canada and has flourished and continued to grow over its 108-year-history.

From being a founding partner of the Calgary Stampede in 1884, to continuing as the banker in 1912 when the first Stampede took place, sponsoring BMO Kids’ Day for 16 years, and the opening of BMO Centre in 1982 – our ties to the Calgary Stampede and community are deep and expanding.

BMO Centre is currently undergoing renovations as part of its 2024 expansion project, which will more than double its total rentable space and make it the largest conference facility in Western Canada. It’s been Calgary’s premier venue for consumer and trade shows, special events, meetings and conferences since opening, but the expansion will add it to the map of top-tier destinations in the competitive international meetings and conventions market once it’s completed.

Learn more about Community Sponsorships.

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