Aggie Days Turns 40: Calgary’s Beloved Agricultural Showcase Returns with Free Family Fun

Get ready for a weekend of family-friendly fun as Aggie Days returns to Stampede Park for its 40th anniversary, April 12–13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.! With free admission for all ages, this beloved event, held at the Nutrien Western Event Centre and Agriculture Barn, brings the farm to the heart of Calgary, offering hands-on activities and interactive exhibits that celebrate the fascinating world of agriculture—without ever leaving the city.

While Aggie Days offers plenty of educational, family-friendly fun—from planting seeds and exploring farming equipment to getting up close with farm animals in a safe, no-contact setting—it’s the dozens of exhibitors and volunteers who donate their time and resources each year who give the event its heart. For Debbie Lee and her daughter Danielle, Aggie Days is more than just an event—it’s part of their family’s identity.

“Aggie Days has always been a family affair, for both the visitors and the volunteers,” says Debbie Lee, who volunteers for the Calgary Stampede and co-leads the dairy exhibit at Aggie Days alongside her daughter, Danielle Lee. “My dad helped organize the very first Aggie Days event in 1985, and we’ve participated ever since. My kids grew up being part of Aggie Days, and now my granddaughter helps too. It’s been part of our lives for the past 40 years.”

Debbie’s popular cow milking demonstrations— where you can watch how she milks a live dairy cow before trying the technique for yourself on a plastic cow—have taught generations of kids about where their milk comes from. Many return to Aggie Days as adults years later, children in tow, to introduce them to ‘the cow-milking lady’ from their own childhood memories.

Another longtime fixture of Aggie Days is the Bednarik family and their affectionate llamas and alpacas. For over 30 years, they’ve been delighting visitors of all ages, with animals like the late Manny the llama becoming icons of the event. John Bednarik, the family patriarch, continues to find joy in sharing his animals with the public even now in his 90s. Today, three generations of Bednariks volunteer together, continuing the family tradition of teaching about these gentle animals and their importance in farming and textile industries around the world.

“We love seeing people connect with the animals,” says John’s daughter, Lisa. “But we’re also here to teach. There’s a long history of llamas and alpacas being used for their wool and as working animals.”

Over the past four decades, Aggie Days has continued to evolve, welcoming new exhibitors and fresh perspectives to reflect the changing face of agriculture. Industry organizations like Egg Farmers of Alberta have become fixtures at the event, showcasing the egg industry through their ever-popular egg-laying display featuring live hens. Newcomers like NuLeaf Farms, a Calgary-based company specializing in hydroponic agriculture, joined Aggie Days for the first time in 2024, offering a glimpse into the future of sustainable, urban food production. This constant evolution ensures that each year brings something new, while staying true to the event’s roots in agricultural education.

Whether you’re learning how fruits and vegetables are grown, making rope, or simply seeing your first farm animal up close, Aggie Days brings Alberta’s agricultural roots into the heart of Calgary. This weekend, Aggie Days celebrates its 40th anniversary by continuing its mission to educate the public about Alberta’s agricultural industry and connect urban and rural communities—one visitor (or generation) at a time.

See the full schedule of events here.

About the Calgary Stampede

The Calgary Stampede celebrates the people, the animals, the land, the traditions and the values that make up the unique spirit of the west. The Calgary Stampede contributes to the quality of life in Calgary and southern Alberta through our world-renowned Stampede, year-round facilities, western events and several youth and agriculture programs. Exemplifying the theme We’re Greatest Together, we are a volunteer-supported, not-for-profit community organization that preserves and celebrates our western heritage, cultures and community spirit. All revenue is reinvested into Calgary Stampede programs and facilities.

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