The Calgary Stampede hosted a scaled-down parade on the Stampede grounds this year and the only way to watch it was via Global News.
The parade started at 8 a.m. MT on Friday, July 9 — the first day of the 2021 Calgary Stampede — and lasted for an hour.
Though the parade was not open to the public this year, it was broadcast live on Global News and streamed live online and on the Global News YouTube channel.
The parade still had many of the things Calgarians know and love about it, including floats, marching bands and mounted riders.
It kicked off with the iconic Calgary Stampede Showband which performed, among other songs, a rendition of Get Lucky by Daft Punk ft. Pharrell Williams.
They were followed by the Calgary Stampede Showriders, a group of young equestrians between the ages of 14-21, and the RCMP honour guard.
This year, the Calgary Stampede invited a group of essential workers to participate in the parade, including doctors, nurses, grocery store workers, bus drivers and food and hotel industry employees.
All of them were nominated by their family, friends, co-workers and peers through a contest on Soft Rock 97.7.
The parade marshal this year was Katari Right Hand, a 17-year-old fancy dancer from Siksika First Nation who is featured on the 2021 Calgary Stampede poster.
Also joining in the festivities was Lexi Hilderman, the 22-year-old artist who created the 2021 Stampede poster, travelling the route in the Calgary Stampede Foundation carriage.
In addition, 2020 honorary Stampede parade marshal Felipe Masetti Leite returned to Calgary for the event.
READ MORE: How to save money at the 2021 Calgary Stampede
Last year, organizers were forced to cancel the Calgary Stampede due to the COVID-19 pandemic, marking the first time in over 100 years that the historic event wasn’t held.
The 2021 Calgary Stampede runs July 9-18.
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