ST. PAUL - While the rodeo action at the Clancy Richard Arena may be the highlight of the week, there is also plenty more being served up from Sept. 1 to 4, sure to keep everyone's appetites satisfied.
On Thursday, the 25th Pancake Breakfast at ATCO Electric will kick things off. The long-running event will take place from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the ATCO Electric office, located at 5010-50th St.
As employees serve up hungry guests, they will also collect donations for St. Paul & Area Victim Services.
Then, just in time for lunch, the always-popular chili cook-off will take place at St. Paul Cornerstone Co-op. The event draws groups and businesses together as teams compete to create the tastiest chili.
The event, which will also include a car show this year, is made possible thanks to a partnership between Cornerstone Co-op, Northern Source Rentals, and Black Ace Collision. Funds raised at this year's chili cook-off will go to the St. Paul Football Club.
Cornerstone Co-op General Manager Graham Getz says organizers are expecting about 50 cars for the car show, depending on the weather.
The full day of activity at the Co-op is a reflection of how the organization is working to reconnect with the communities it serves. Building off past traditions, the day should be a memorable one.
One of the main focuses and visions of Cornerstone Co-op is to make life better for the people in the communities the organization operates in. Since May, Cornerstone Co-op has been involved with 127 community events - and that's not including the upcoming rodeo week events, illustrating the important role the Co-op plays in the community, according to Getz.
Of course, supporting non-profit groups and clubs is also paramount.
Another addition to this year's chili cook-off is the Walk a Mile in her Shoes fundraiser, which will run alongside the cook-off and car show. The Walk a Mile in her Shoes event is put on by the Capella Centre, and aims to raise funds for the local women's shelter.
On Friday morning, the day will again start with pancakes, but this time at the St. Paul Legion, located at 4925-49th Ave.
A $3 hot dog lunch will be served up at Home Hardware, and then just as everyone is getting set to head back to the arena for Friday night's rodeo performance, a $3 pulled pork meal will be served at the St. Paul Rec Centre Mult-purpose Room, sponsored by the Town of St. Paul. This year's funds will go to the Saddle Lake Boys and Girls Club.
On Saturday, the Co-op will once again be the place to be as Famous Rodeo Pancake Breakfast takes place, just ahead of the always-popular rodeo parade. There is a $5 minimum donation for the breakfast, and collected funds will be given to the People's Museum Society.
The pancake breakfast will be the first event the Co-op organizes with a focus on using only reused, recycled, or compostable items. As the federal government moves toward banning a list of single-use plastics by December of 2022, the Co-op is making the necessary changes to abide by the legislation.
Everything from the cutlery to the stir sticks used in coffee, and the plate the pancakes are served on will be considered.
“We’re excited about it," says Getz about the opportunity to host a "green" event. "We’re going to learn a lot.”
After the parade wraps up, a Ukrainian lunch will be served at the Rec Centre Multi-purpose room for $15 a plate, $10 for kids, and $5 for a hot dog.
Supper will also be served at the Rec Centre Multi-purpose Room starting at 4:30 p.m., this time beef on a bun will be on the menu, sponsored by the County of St. Paul. Proceeds will be given to Mallaig Minor Hockey.
