Time to dust off your cowboy boots and hats, Calgary. Stampede season has arrived.
The Stampede Parade wrapped up late Friday morning. It began just after 9 a.m. at the intersection of Ninth Avenue and Third Street Southeast. More than 100 entries entries participated in the parade this year, according to the Calgary Stampede. It included 21 floats, 11 bands and over 40 equine entries.
Over 700 horses were also part of the parade.
Those who arrived at the parade route before it started were able to enjoy the Parade Prelude featuring 30 acts.
Actor Owen Crow Shoe led the parade as this year’s marshal. He will also be the emcee for the 2024 Calgary Stampede Powwow on Sunday, July 7 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Saddledome.
The Calgary Stampede has described Crow Shoe as an ambassador for Alberta and the event because his family has deep roots with the festival.
Crow Shoe is from the Piikani Nation and Blood Tribe of the Blackfoot Confederacy and spent time at the Elbow River Camp on the Stampede grounds growing up.
Among some of the dignitaries seen taking part in the parade were Mayor Jyoti Gondek and Premier Danielle Smith.
After the parade, Calgarians and other attendees were able to head straight to Stampede Park to receive free admission between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Most roads in and out of downtown Calgary were closed for the parade and were not expected to reopen until the event concluded and Calgary Police Service officers deemed it safe to do so.
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The City of Calgary said all roadways are expected to reopen by around 2 p.m.
Calgarians and visitors interested in watching the parade in person were encouraged to take public transit into downtown. All downtown CTrain stations are within one block of the parade route.
After the parade, viewers were able take the CTrain down to Victoria Park/Stampede or Erlton Stations to the grounds. A shuttle bus was also available, only for Parade Day.
Day passes can be used to get anywhere in the city and will be $8.50 for adults and $6.50 for youth throughout Stampede week (July 5 to July 14).
Bus routes throughout downtown may be affected on Parade Day. More information about detours can be found on the Calgary Transit website.
Tickets can be purchased via the Transit and MyFare apps on the App Store or Google Play store, or at ticket vending machines at CTrain stations.
You can view some photos from the parade in the social media posts below: