How-to Celebrate Australia Day in YYC
Attend a party hosted by a local AFL club or host your own party with meat pies and pikelets.
In 2006, the Canadian census counted 2,450 Australian immigrants in Alberta. No doubt that number has only increased since then. And, you’ll find plenty enjoying their gap year in Banff.
On January 26, join these thousands of Aussies living in the province by celebrating Australia Day. Here’s what to eat and where you can go to take part in a little Australian culture.
What to eat at your Australia Day party
There are several traditional Australian snacks you can find here that act as a perfectly fine substitute for the real deal.
BBQ
You don’t need to go anywhere for this. Buy some sausages, invite a group of friends over and fire up the barbeque. For an authentic Australian experience, serve the sausages on a slice of bread instead of a bun.
Sausage rolls and meat pies
Meat pies, filled with gravy and minced meat, and sometimes onions and mushrooms, is an iconic Australian snack. It’s so iconic you can even buy them at gas stations. While you won’t find Four’N’Twenty here in Calgary, Glamorgan Bakery sells hearty pies and sausage rolls that will work just as well at your Australia Day party.
Glamorgan Bakery, 3919 Richmond Rd. S.W., 403-242-2800, glamorganbakery.com
Pikelets
These are just little pancakes. Make your own pancakes and serve them with jam and whipped cream.
Pavlova
This traditional dessert is similar to meringue, except that meringue is crispier and usually single serve; pavlova is softer and can be party sized. Pre-order meringues from Cookie Mama.
Cookie Mama, 1420 9 Ave. S.E., 403-266-5431, cookiemamacalgary.com
Where to find an Australia Day party
Celebrate Australia Day at The Pint Calgary. The event is hosted by the Calgary Kangaroos, a local AFL club. The entire second floor is dedicated to the event. The $10 event ticket, which can be purchased off of foxsportspulse.com, will include one free drink, beer specials, Vegemite challenges and the chance to win a special Aussie gift basket. Who wouldn’t want to go home with goodies like Shapes (flavoured crackers), Milo (a chocolate and malt powder), Tim Tams (chocolate biscuits) and Vegemite (a vegetable spread)? The event takes place on Sunday, January 25 at 6 p.m.
The Pint Calgary, 1428 17 Ave. S.W., 403-384-9777, thepint.ca
If you can’t make it to the event on Sunday night and don’t mind celebrating Australia a few weeks late, the Calgary Kangaroos is also hosting a typically Australian event, Intro to Footy, on Sunday, February 7. Learn the basics when it comes to Australian Rules Football at the Talisman Centre. It’s free to meet the club members and try out AFL.
Talisman Centre, 403-233-8393, talismancentre.com