Traditional corn dogs and deep-fried doughnuts are still on the menu but Calgary Stampede organizers say they害羞草研究所檙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 it害羞草研究所檚 the craziest combinations that tend to spark the most interest.

害羞草研究所淲e look for those foods 害羞草研究所� 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 they害羞草研究所檙e eating?害羞草研究所�

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.

害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e talking real prairie oysters,害羞草研究所� Radke said. 害羞草研究所淲e push people害羞草研究所檚 taste buds.

害羞草研究所淲hether their reaction to it is positive or negative, that actually doesn害羞草研究所檛 matter. What matters is it害羞草研究所檚 generating an emotional response to food and you know you害羞草研究所檝e got them right away.害羞草研究所�

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 can害羞草研究所檛 try them all in one day. The Stampede SuperPass gets you unlimited admission for all 10 days and 10 nights for just $39 害羞草研究所� your belly will thank you.

害羞草研究所� Calgary Stampede (@calgarystampede)

害羞草研究所淚t looks a little scary but it tastes good though. It害羞草研究所檚 nice and juicy inside and then we put on our special bread crumbs so it害羞草研究所檚 really crunchy outside,害羞草研究所� she said.

害羞草研究所淚t comes in two flavours 害羞草研究所� salt and pepper and curry pepper. That one害羞草研究所檚 a little bit spicy, gives a little more heat for the street.害羞草研究所�

For those with a sweet tooth, there will be deep-fried, bacon-wrapped Reese害羞草研究所檚 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.

害羞草研究所淭hat害羞草研究所檚 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,害羞草研究所� he said.

害羞草研究所淭he midway has had to transform itself to become a culinary destination.害羞草研究所�

This year害羞草研究所檚 Stampede runs from July 6 to 15.

The Canadian Press

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