STAMPEDE PARADE
700 horses, 12 bands, 4.5 kms and one giant sea of red and white
It was an all-Canadian tribute under a shower of flags, and red and white maple leafs, as tens of thousands of Calgarians celebrated Canada’s 150 in a historically unique Stampede Parade.
“I’ve never seen so much red and white! And I’ve been coming here for 30 years,” said Betty Hutchins, who found a cool and shady spot with her husband Bill along 9th Avenue S.W.
“What an amazing celebration of Canada and our history as a welcoming nation, welcoming all cultures.”
Sandy Jenkins, tucking her two preschoolers into a shady doublestroller, agreed, adding that the Canadian colours mixed well with what she said was an increased participation of Indigenous people along the route.
“It’s great to see both the Canada 150 element and many tributes to First Nations people,” she said. “They’re an important part of our history.”
Treaty 7 First Nation Chiefs were parade marshals this year, honoured to participate in the Canada 150 year.
“Our people have been through a lot. But we are resilient and beautiful,” said Chief Aaron Young of the Chiniki First Nation.
“I am here to remind everyone of our history, our history of exploitation and how far we have come,” added Chief Roy Fox, of the Kanai/ Blood Tribe.
Along with Young and Fox, parade marshals also included Chief Lee Crowchild of the Tsuut’ina Nation, Chief Joe Weasel Child of the Siksika Nation, Chief Stanley Grier of the Piikani Nation, Chief Darcy Dixon of the Bearspaw First Nation, and Chief Ernest Wesley of the Wesley First Nation.
Amid sweltering highs of 32C, spectators sought shade wherever they could, welcoming this year’s new reversal of direction, which saw the parade start and head west on 9th Avenue S.E. before turning on 10th Street and then heading east on 6th Avenue S.E.
While some parade goers were confused, not expecting the reversal, others planned well in advance.
“It actually works way better, because the parade ends earlier on the 9th Avenue side and we can all head over to the grounds later,” said Janice Miller, who staked out a new favourite spot along 9th Avenue to catch the start of the parade and then dash over to the midway.
Stampede volunteers even donned bright red “Parade to Park” T-shirts promoting the reversal, as officials hoped it would reduce congestion closer to the grounds and also offer more shade for animals and performers along 6th Avenue in the later, hotter half of the parade.
While spectators cheered their appreciation of popular parade participants like the Treaty 7 Chiefs, former NHLer and youth advocate Sheldon Kennedy, and Calgary Flame Johnny Gaudreau, Premier Rachel Notley faced cheers and jeers from the crowds.
“Out of Alberta! Out of Calgary!,” yelled one spectator as she rode by in a convertible.
But Mayor Naheed Nenshi said he felt a more upbeat mood in the city this year after a rough couple of years. “Today really is a day for all of us to celebrate and to really celebrate community.
“It’s about the thousands of people who make Stampede a part of their lives and really try and do something nice for their neighbours.”
Doug Allin and his wife celebrated a historic milestone of their own Friday, sharing sandwiches, coffee and watermelon with friends and co-workers.
“My wife believes she’s gone to 61 parades,” Allin said.
Friday’s parade route, about 4.5 kilometres in length and taking just over two hours to complete, showcased 113 entries, including 12 bands, 34 floats, 11 horse hitches, 10, mounted colour parties, and 46 miscellaneous entries.
Overall, spectators were treated to more than 700 horses, but also some of the nearly 3,000 kilograms of manure they left behind.