Calgarians love their Stampede. The aroma of corn dogs, cotton candy, tiny doughnuts, fried onions and sausage on a freshly baked bun gets mixed with the unmistakable barn smells of the Exhibition. It's an intoxicating combination that gets us ready to kick up our heels. Here's an insider's pick of the best of Stampede.

On Parade Day, July 7, arrive downtown by 6:00 AM to stake your claim to a seat on the parade route. The real parade starts at 9:00 AM, but rest assured, the parade participants have been up hours earlier than you! Many of them wind up at the St. Louis Hotel starting at 10 AM (8th Avenue and 4th Street SE) to quench their thirst after the parade. Order up a jug of beer and some chicken and chips and bet on the "imaginary" horse races - a true Calgary tradition.

The Ranchman's 6th Annual Pioneer Picnic on Sunday, July 9 from noon to 6:00 PM, features the Stampede Championship Chili Cook-off and World Champion Mutton Bustin'. Chili cooks are competing to enter the world championship chili contest in Las Vegas. You can taste their chili for just $1 a cup. Seventy-five kids between 4 and 8 years old get to try bronco-style bustin' on the backs of the meanest mutton in the West. These events support the Kids Cancer Care Foundation.

You can't beat the slack events at the Stampede Grounds, at 8:30 AM on Monday, July 10. With your paid admission to the Stampede grounds, you have free access to the infield area to see Steer Wrestling, Calf Roping and Barrel Racing up close and personal. You can still go to the rodeo in the afternoon for the full show, but the infield seats are sold out months in advance. This early morning treat gives you a close-up photo opportunity at the right price - free. This is included if you buy Monday afternoon rodeo tickets in advance at a TicketMaster outlet. The ticket price includes gate admission to the Stampede Grounds and the added extra of early morning infield access.

Most Calgarians will agree that the hospitality of a free Stampede Caravan Breakfast can't be beat. Eighth Avenue Mall between City Hall and 4th Street SW is the best place to sniff out a flapjack and bacon breakfast. My pick for the best Stampede Breakfast goes to Fifth Avenue Place, 425 1st Street SW (on the plaza) Friday, July 14, hosted by Brookfield and serving eggs, bacon, sausage, flapjacks, fruit, coffee and juice, starting at 7:00 AM. Donations are accepted for STARS Air Rescue. Don't be afraid of the line-up. It's a great place to meet people - just ask them what their favorite thing about Stampede is, and you're off on your next adventure!

If you are game for more than a free breakfast, the Canadian Progress Club hosts gin breakfasts at The Westin Hotel, July 10-14. Tickets are usually sold-out in advance, but you might find a cowboy with a hangover desperate to sell his $60 ticket. If the idea of liquor at breakfast has you wondering if you can keep up with all of the drinking going on during Stampede, there are as many hangover remedies as there are cowboy boots in Calgary. Try rubbing a cut lemon under your arms when you get up. There should be plenty scattered around you if you were drinking tequila shooters when you passed out!

Happy trails!