Premier Smith flipping flapjacks at KDays pancake breakfast
The sun was shining, the griddles were hot, and uplifted tunes played over the loudspeakers as hundreds gathered at Klondike Park for the Premier's Pancake Breakfast, the official kick-off to KDays 2025. With the smell of fresh pancakes in the air and hot food lines serving up pancakes, eggs, sausages, juice, and drinks, the festive mood was unmistakable.
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Premier Danielle Smith worked the flapjack line alongside Explore Edmonton staff and volunteers, flipping pancakes, pouring syrup and greeting families.
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'KDays is part of Edmonton heritage, it continues to deliver tremendous excitement, welcoming nearly three quarters of a million people last year, and I'm sure you're gonna break records again this year.'
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The breakfast event, open to the public from 9-11 a.m., drew thousands of attendees, including elected officials, community partners, families and performers. Thanks to presenting sponsor North Central Co-Op, the first 5,000 guests received free gate admission.
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Outside the gates, crowds began lining up early, eager to be among the first inside.
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'We're so incredibly grateful to so many government leaders who are here today flipping pancakes,' said Traci Bednard, president and CEO of Explore Edmonton. 'The premier, I can see, has some mad skills in that.'
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KDays remains one of Alberta's largest annual events, drawing hundreds of thousands each year. Bednard noted the festival has run since 1879 and highlighted what's new this year, including a second music stage powered by CKUA, international competitions and expanded youth programming.
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'The feature product program is where innovators, foodies, techies, designers and dreamers get their moment in the spotlight, from wild snack creations to one-of-a-kind, handmade goods,' Bednard said. 'We've deepened our partnership with Indigenous communities and are welcoming more local artists and performers. There really is something for everyone here.'
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