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It's Stampede weekend, Calgary — the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth is officially underway. The parade kicks off Friday morning at 9 a.m., and if you're heading downtown, leave the car at home and take transit. Details on what to expect are in today's newsletter, along with some non-Stampede plans for the weekend.
👀 In today's edition:
Calgary's supervised consumption site has closed its doors
Hundreds of students risk losing access to free school in September
Canada Day looks different this year with a referendum on the horizon
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WORTH KNOWING
⛈️ Today: High 22C, Low 12C. See the 7-day forecast.
🚗 Driving today? Check the current traffic situation, and find the city’s traffic report and road closures.
⚠️ Here’s the current smoke forecast / check Calgary wildfire and fire restrictions and the Alberta Wildfire Dashboard.
QUICK POLL
Are you heading to the Calgary Stampede this year?
Stephen Avenue's revitalization is complete
Photo: City of Calgary
A major stretch of Stephen Avenue is reopening this summer after the City of Calgary completed its revitalization project between 1st Street SE and Centre Street.
The renewed block features granite pavers, new trees and benches, enhanced lighting, and power outlets to support outdoor events and dining. Patios along the block are now open in time for the Calgary Stampede, welcoming back businesses and visitors to one of downtown Calgary's most iconic pedestrian streets.
Below the surface, the project replaced water, stormwater, power, and lighting infrastructure — some of it more than 100 years old — to improve long-term reliability in the downtown core.
"Stephen Avenue is one of Calgary's most important public spaces and a vital destination for downtown businesses, workers, residents, and visitors," said Andrew Doudican, Director of Urban Strategy at the Calgary Downtown Association. "The completion of this first phase allows businesses to fully welcome customers back for what promises to be a busy summer season."
Funding for future blocks of Stephen Avenue will be considered as part of the city's next four-year budget cycle.
SPONSORED BY THE CORE SHOPPING CENTRE
Saddle up and join the fun at the CORE Midway!
Yahoo! The Midway is rolling back into the CORE for the third annual CORE Midway!
From June 22 to July 12, get ready for three weeks packed with exciting activations, live entertainment, giveaways, games, interactive experiences, and plenty of Stampede spirit right in the heart of downtown. Saddle up and join the fun on Level 2 of the CORE Shopping Centre.
Click HERE to learn more or visit the website for the full event and entertainment schedule.
Don't forget, you can enjoy free underground parking at the CORE weekdays after 3pm and all day on weekends! *
*For the first 3 hours, a $2.00 flat rate applies thereafter. Available during mall hours only.
Need to know
🏫 Hundreds of children in Calgary and Edmonton schools risk losing free access to education in September as their families' immigration permits expire. The CBE alone has identified nearly 2,400 students whose status is uncertain, as reported by CBC News.
🌊 Calgary Fire Department rescued three paddleboarders from the Bow River near Edworthy Park on June 30 after they were pushed into a cluster of trees by the fast-moving current. The river's flow rate has exceeded double the threshold for a safety advisory — CFD is asking people to stay off the water until the advisory is lifted.
🚌 Calgary Transit is introducing some changes to express bus service this fall, with a small number of routes reduced to one trip per day in each direction as the city transitions to more frequent, two-way service. A new 500-series express route launches August 31.
⚖️ A Calgary psychiatrist accused of abducting his son and hiding him overseas for two years has been released on bail with electronic monitoring. Muhammad Rahman was arrested in Mauritius in December after an Interpol Red Notice flagged authorities there.
💉 Calgary's supervised consumption site at the Sheldon Chumir Health Centre closed its doors on June 30 after more than eight years of operation. The province plans to convert the space into a rapid access addiction medicine site.
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The Calgary Stampede Parade is back Friday
Photo: Calgary Stampede
The Calgary Stampede officially kicks off on Friday, July 3 with the Stampede Parade presented by Suncor, and with more than 120 entries, hundreds of horses, world-class marching bands, and cultural performers, it's shaping up to be one of the city's biggest celebrations of the year.
Leading the parade are Canadian Olympic medallists Courtney Sarault and Mikaël Kingsbury. At the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games, Sarault became the first Canadian short track speed skater in history to take home four medals from a single Olympics, while Kingsbury — widely considered the greatest moguls skier to ever compete — added two more medals to his collection, including gold. Andrew Phung, best known for playing Kimchee in Kim's Convenience, will serve as Celebrity Judge.
The parade steps off at 9 a.m. from 9 Ave SE and 3 St. SE, with a Parade Prelude of 34 acts starting at approximately 8 a.m. For those driving, most roads in and out of downtown close at 7:30 a.m. Calgary Transit is running 24-hour service from the evening of July 2 through the morning of July 13.
After the parade, head straight to Stampede Park for free admission from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. through the Parade-to-Park program. Those who can't make it in person can watch the live broadcast on Global TV starting at 8:45 a.m.
Where to eat and drink
🍴 Ten Foot Henry: A vegetable-forward all-day restaurant named after a beloved Calgary creative icon — a literal 10-foot replica of a 1930s comic strip character. The menu bridges the gap between healthy eating and what you actually want to eat, with weekend brunch on offer too.
🍴 Fonda Fora: Inspired by the traditional fondas of Mexico — unpretentious neighbourhood spots built for gathering and good food — Fonda Fora brings that spirit to Calgary with a menu rooted in Mexican flavours and a space designed for conversation.
Have a food or drink suggestion? Message us and we might share it!
Things to do
🎟️ Mexifest at Eau Claire Plaza: A three-day celebration of Mexican culture runs July 3-5 at Eau Claire Plaza, with music, food, and cultural performances for the whole family. Friday admission is free from 10:30 a.m. to noon.
🎟️ PlayLab: Feet to the Beat at Studio Bell: Studio Bell's PlayLab is hosting free drop-in dance sessions on July 4 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., led by veteran dance educator Kym Butler. No experience needed — just show up ready to move.
Have an event suggestion? Message us and we might share it!
That’s it!
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We’ll see you back here on Tuesdays and Thursdays, same time, same place!
