Traditional corn dogs and deep-fried doughnuts are still on the menu but Calgary Stampede organizers say theyB次元官网网址檙e being joined by giant squid on a stick, cheesy chicken hearts and even prairie oysters for foodies attending the 10-day event.

Midway operations manager James Radke says the Stampede menu has to have something for everyone but itB次元官网网址檚 the craziest combinations that tend to spark the most interest.

B次元官网网址淲e look for those foods B次元官网网址� crickets on your candy apple, crickets in your grilled-cheese sandwich. How can you take those traditional foods and turn them upside down and really make people think about what theyB次元官网网址檙e eating?B次元官网网址�

The so-called giant squidward, complete with tentacles, is about the size of a baseball mitt and deep fried.

The prairie oyster balls, which are calf testicles, are braised in a savoury sauce, sliced and served over sweet doughnuts with a blueberry sauce along with whipped cream and crushed nuts.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e talking real prairie oysters,B次元官网网址� Radke said. B次元官网网址淲e push peopleB次元官网网址檚 taste buds.

B次元官网网址淲hether their reaction to it is positive or negative, that actually doesnB次元官网网址檛 matter. What matters is itB次元官网网址檚 generating an emotional response to food and you know youB次元官网网址檝e got them right away.B次元官网网址�

Yan Situ from the Happy Fish Catering food truck expects the squid will be a big seller.

With 50 new foods on the Midway, you canB次元官网网址檛 try them all in one day. The Stampede SuperPass gets you unlimited admission for all 10 days and 10 nights for just $39 B次元官网网址� your belly will thank you.

B次元官网网址� Calgary Stampede (@calgarystampede)

B次元官网网址淚t looks a little scary but it tastes good though. ItB次元官网网址檚 nice and juicy inside and then we put on our special bread crumbs so itB次元官网网址檚 really crunchy outside,B次元官网网址� she said.

B次元官网网址淚t comes in two flavours B次元官网网址� salt and pepper and curry pepper. That oneB次元官网网址檚 a little bit spicy, gives a little more heat for the street.B次元官网网址�

For those with a sweet tooth, there will be deep-fried, bacon-wrapped ReeseB次元官网网址檚 Peanut Butter Cups, Pop Rocks mini doughnuts, smoking charcoal ice cream in a cup, hot ice-cream doughnut sandwiches and Kit Kat fries.

Only eight or 10 years ago, Radke said, Stampede food was a secondary consideration.

B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 changed with the advent of food television, of the Food Network, the foodie movement, restaurants changing and everybody really jumping upon that bandwagon. The midway has had to do that as well,B次元官网网址� he said.

B次元官网网址淭he midway has had to transform itself to become a culinary destination.B次元官网网址�

This yearB次元官网网址檚 Stampede runs from July 6 to 15.

The Canadian Press

Like us on and follow us on .