Its a unique sport that involves skilled athletes towering above crowds, and there’s no basketball hoops in sight. Performers from the National Stiltswalkers of Canada were in Pincher Creek this morning, adding a special twist to the towns annual rodeo parade.
Hailing from Edmonton, performers say curiosity pushed them to take their first steps and the challenge of an ever changing balance kept them at it.
“Really it’s just going for it and hoping you don’t fall,” said Sharon Mellott, who has been with the Stiltswalkers for twelve years.
The performers wore four feet tall stilts for this event, but say some models are built up to eight feet, which are only worn by one brave member of their troupe.
But even with four feet added to their frame, the performers found a street post at just the right height before hitting the parade route, stopping to give some high fives or low fives along the way.
“I like when I walk by and people smile,” said Jayne Walden, a seven year member of the troupe. “It’s just like being a big kid and that’s always a fun thing.”
While the Stiltswalkers have performed at the World Games, they say crowds at these small town events are the reason they love this gig.
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