Pickles and corn have both earned their own categories.
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The Calgary Stampede has dropped its list of over 50 new midway foods for 2024.
The list is broken down into six unique categories: New Twists on Old Favourites, Treat Yo’ Self, Pickle Your Poutine, It’s Corn!, Add a Little Spice and Drinkable Delights.
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Bao buns appear to be the main event this year, with four different options available. The lobster bao is described as a classic New England lobster roll with an Asian twist, and the golden spider bao features soft-shell crab coated in garlic salted egg yolk. The baller bao is a combination of the two. The fourth bao bun option on the list is the chicken 65, which is crispy chicken tossed in Indo Chinese 65 sauce.
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The midway fare this year features unique takes on classic fair foods like hot dogs, burgers and ice cream. A hot dog transforms into a hot dog-corn dog hybrid, the one burger on the list uses watermelon slices in place of a bun and ice creams are savoury, not sweet.
Dill pickle flavours are so popular they have earned their own category, featuring four different pickle poutines. Within this category is a Flamin’ Hot pickle pizza, proving the Cheeto fair food trend is still on the rise.
The Drinkable delights appear normal, by traditional Calgary Stampede standards, with the most out-of-the-box beverages being a chamoy lemonade and the gold rush bucket. The chamoy lemonade is a classic lemonade, infused with chamoy, topped with chili lime seasoning and peach rings for a spicy and sweet sip. The gold rush bucket is a traditional lemonade made with aloe, and topped with edible gold, real cactus and a cowboy hat.
Here are the five most daring foods, and descriptions, from the lineup:
Cheese burger ice cream
This no meat, vanilla infused BBQ flavoured ice cream is served in a waffle cone, dunked in hot cheese, and sprinkled with sesame seeds. Garnished with an onion ring and pickle.
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Mexican street corn ice cream
Vanilla infused corn ice cream with all the fixins served in a mayo parmesan cone, topped with tajin spice, garnished with a lime wedge and of course, corn!
Pickle fry poutine
Pickled French fries, aka “Pickle Fries” as made famous in 2023, have found a way to be an even more Canadian poutine! Dill meets delicious. These pickle fries are freshly brined, seasoned & fried, topped with a generous portion of Quebec curds and smothered with hot gravy.
Watermelon burger
Hot off the grill onto a Watermelon sesame bun…? That’s right, throw away your bread and take a bite out of Stampede with the watermelon burger, served with feta, spinach, fresh mint, and drizzled with balsamic reduction.
Takis mini donuts
Takis Mini Donuts crafted by a recent pastry chef graduate, features a unique and special sauce and Takis, making them a must-try for those seeking the latest and most delicious mini donuts.
See the full list here.
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