The familiar sounds of music, children’s cheers and an excited audience – that’s what 9 Calgary Avenue at 3 SE Street will look forward to on July 8.
That’s where the iconic Calgary Stampede Parade will begin this year. The event will officially open for the 10-day celebration.
The parade will start at 9 a.m. and last about two hours. In a press release Wednesday, Calgary Stampede officials said spectators can expect to see a lineup of more than 90 participants this year, including marching bands, floats and other cohesive color party.
“The Calgary Stampede Parade Committee is eager to get back to doing what they love – doing a full parade,” said Dwayne Spence, committee chair.
“We’ve put together a great squad with lots of traditional goals that Calgarians look forward to seeing, as well as a few new surprises.”
Some other highlights from this year’s parade include a colorful new entry by the Mexican consulate and another from the Ukrainian community in Calgary, who will march in solidarity with Ukrainians amid war is going on.
Men who play bagpipes in a traditional furnace and some real-life sheriffs will also take part in the parade.
The event will also see some famous faces this year, with parade marshal Kevin Costner and celebrity judge David Spence both set to appear.
Spence, who has more than 40 years of experience as a meteorologist in Calgary, will choose the parade entry that – in his opinion – best embodies the spirit of the Calgary Stampede.
The 2022 Calgary Stampede Parade will also welcome third-generation rancher John Scott as honorary parade governor. His company, John Scott Productions, is heavily involved in the local film industry. For more than 50 years, the film has shown southern Alberta on the small and big screen.
The organizers of the Calgary Stampede said they also wanted to recognize two past marching marshals. Both were selected as representatives despite not having a full parade in the past two years. Katari Right Hand (in 2021 field marshal) and Filipe Masetti Leite (in 2020) will both ride in this year’s parade.
Starting at 7:30 a.m. on July 8, 30 acts – including more than 1,500 performers – will also be in attendance to help stir the crowd before the parade officially begins.
After the parade, visitors have free entry to Stampede Park from 11am to 1:30pm
You can watch the parade live on the Global Calgary website. It will also be broadcast live on television by Global Calgary.
Officials with the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth are promising a pre-pandemic event at this year’s Calgary Stampede.
For more information on this year’s event, click here.
© 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
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