This year's midway menu at the Calgary Stampede includes ice pops made from pickle juice, deep-fried chicken skin and octopus deep-fried or in a lollipop. The 10-day festival celebrating the cowboy life tries to outdo itself each year in its culinary offerings. Octopus will have a strong showing this summer, as will hearts - be they the deep-fried centres of artichokes or barbecued chicken hearts on a stick.