CALGARY – The Calgary Stampede’s parade got the royal touch Friday as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge kicked off festivities on the last day of their Canadian tour.
The royals drove the reverse route of the parade in a Lincoln. At the starting point, they pressed a "plunger," setting of fireworks to start the parade.
Red and white confetti burst into the sky.
Will and Kate were wearing their white Smithbilt cowboy hats and western duds. Kate wore jeans, a big buckle and a white blouse. The Prince was wearing jeans and a green plaid shirt. It wasn’t clear if it was the same one he wore Thursday night.
The parade saw marching Mounties, and floats, including a giant Calgary Flames player.
Before the royals’ arrival, fans waited patiently, on chairs or standing on risers, for the guests of honour to arrive.
Some had spent half the night claiming their spots on the sidewalk for a glimpse.
"It’s bedlam," said Ellen Ramsay, who had arrived at 4 a.m. and had as front-row view.
"Seriously, I’m sure we could have sold these spots here," she said.
More than 750 horses and 2,500 participants were walking the route for the parade.
Willi Hoelzel manned several lawn chairs to save spots for his daughter, niece, and wife, whom he described as a "royalty buff."
"I’ve seen the Queen twice," he said. "Everyone wants that chance to see something and say, 40 years from now, you sat outside for 24 hours just to see the royal couple."
Hoelzel said his sister-in-law was in the area and saw people setting up folding chairs by 6:30 p.m. so he raced out to the scene as fast as possible.
"They might wave, they might not. It’s a chance you have to take," he said.
On Friday afternoon, the royals will leave Canada after a nine-day tour that began in Ottawa. They’re flying out to Los Angeles next.
Calgary Herald
bforbes(at)calgaryherald.com and cho(at)calgaryherald.com
CNS 7/08/11 12:03:55
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