Calgary Stampede’s ‘Aggie Days’ celebrates 35th anniversary

Aggie Days is back at the Calgary Stampede and it’s celebrating its 35th anniversary. Organizers say it’s one of the greatest ways to teach kids about life on the farm.

Ever wonder where most of our food comes from? The hands-on educational experience for families at Aggie Days hopes to provide that answer and more.

It was all smiles at Giddy Up Aggie Days this morning – our @csqueensalumni Committee hosted a sensory-friendly event for members of our community with special needs, providing an opportunity to learn about agriculture and get up close with farm animals! pic.twitter.com/IpBEAYMMbS

— Calgary Stampede (@calgarystampede) April 9, 2022

Come experience the farm – in the city! Get your agriculture education in Alberta’s largest classroom this weekend, April 9-10.

With free, interactive programming for the whole family, see real farm animals and find out where your food comes from!https://t.co/GRxjqV5U8g pic.twitter.com/vxWBGZFJ4R

— Calgary Stampede (@calgarystampede) April 8, 2022

Grant Northcott, the past chair of the Agriculture Education Committee, says it will be nice to see families return after the pandemic prevented the event from going ahead.

“Traditionally we’ll have between the two days around 40,000 people through here (and) give or take 20,000 a day, so we hope mother nature plays ball and we can see that many people through here again,” said Northcott. “I suspect that we have good turnouts because nobody has been able to do much in the past while.”

Read More:

• Calgary Stampede reveals poster for 2022

• Calgary Stampede Parade makes much-anticipated return for 2022

• Calgary Stampede chuckwagon races coming back summer 2022

  ---

The event provides families the opportunity to learn the farm-to-table process, with the opportunity to get up close with real animals.

Northcott says it never gets old to see the reaction on kids’ faces – particularly those living in the city – when they learn where most of their food comes from.

“They are awestruck sometimes,” he said. “For example, when they see a cow milking demo or the milk actually coming out of a cow, or we’ve got an old sow out here with a litter of baby pigs. So this is where all your bacon comes from. And it’s a learning experience. If everyone who comes down here learns one thing about their food, then we are a success.”

Aggie Days is open to the general public from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Nutrien Western Event Centre and Agriculture Barn at Stampede Park.