Marking 100 days to Stampede

Olympic Plaza was as packed as it has been since the Flames made the playoffs all those years ago.

The occasion? Last week’s 2012 Stampede Centennial 100-day kickoff. Yup, dear readers. Only 90 days from today will see the city go wild(er) as we celebrate the centennial of the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.

Free flapjacks, square dancing, picture-perfect weather and even fireworks had the crowd cheering wildly. But it was the announcement that country music legend Ian Tyson would be this year’s parade marshal that really blew the doors off.

Sponsors and Stampede brass gathered at Murrieta’s afterward to bask in the glow of a launch well done. In attendance were: Calgary Foundation’s Eva Friesen; Peter Valentine; Tourism Calgary president and CEO Randy Williams; Heritage Park president and CEO Alida Visbach; Travel Alberta president and CEO Bruce Okabe; Calgary Herald publisher Guy Huntingford with colleagues Lorne Motley and Monica Zurowski; Stampede president and chairman of the board Michael Casey; vicechairman of the board Bob Thompson; Mayor Naheed Nenshi with colleague Daorcey Le Bray; Stampede directors Stu Reid, Paul Polson and Jim Laurendeau; Doug Fraser, manager, media relations; Wendy Tynan, centennial committee; Township 7 Vineyards’ Lori Pike-raffan; Kurt Kadatz, director, corporate communications; and Ian Tyson.