The familiar sounds of music, the applause of children and excited audiences – that’s what 9 Avenue in Calgary will be expecting at 3 Street SE on July 8.
This is where the iconic Calgary Stampede Parade is set to begin this year. The event will officially launch the 10-day celebration.
The parade will begin at 9 a.m. and will last approximately two hours. In a press release on Wednesday, Calgary Stampede officials said the public can expect to see a lineup of more than 90 attendees this year, including marching bands, floats and mounted color parties.
“The Calgary Stampede Parade Committee can’t wait to get back to doing what it loves — putting on a full parade,” said Dwayne Spence, Committee Chair.
“We’ve put together a terrific lineup with many traditional entries Calgarians have been looking forward to, plus a few new surprises.”
Other highlights of this year’s parade include a colorful new entrance from the Mexican Consulate and another from Calgary’s Ukrainian community, which will march in solidarity with Ukrainians amid the ongoing war.
Bagpipe-playing men in traditional kilts and real sheriffs will also participate in the parade.
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The event will also see some famous faces this year, with parade marshal Kevin Costner and famed judge David Spence both set to make an appearance.
Spence, who has spent more than 40 years as a meteorologist in Calgary, will select the parade entry that he believes best embodies the spirit of the Calgary Stampede.
The 2022 Calgary Stampede parade will also welcome third-generation rancher John Scott as an honorary parade marshal. His company, John Scott Productions, is heavily involved in the local film industry. For over 50 years, it has brought southern Alberta to screens big and small.
Calgary Stampede organizers said they also want to honor the last two parade marshals. Both were chosen as representatives despite the absence of a full parade for the past two years. Katari Right Hand (Marshal 2021) and Filipe Masetti Leite (2020) will both participate in this year’s parade.
Starting at 7:30 a.m. on July 8, 30 acts – made up of more than 1,500 performers – will also be on hand to help amp up the crowd before the official parade begins.
After the parade, guests can enjoy free admission to Stampede Park between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
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You can watch the parade live on the Global Calgary website. It will also be broadcast live on television by Global Calgary.
Officials of the world’s largest outdoor spectacle 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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