Stampede parade heads off in a whole new direction — literally
The direction of the Stampede parade route will be reversed this year, and free admission to the grounds will be offered on parade day, July 7, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., organizers announced in a news conference Tuesday.
Floats and riders will begin the parade at the intersection of 9th Avenue and 1st Street S.E. The parade will then travel along the route to the end point at 6th Avenue and 3rd Street S.E., Stampede officials said Tuesday.
Organizers have been working on the changes since 2013.
The hope is that the reversed route will accomplish two things — reducing some of the congestion in the East Village while making it easier for spectators to funnel into the park at the conclusion of the parade.
“It’s really and truly about access for our guests back to Stampede park,” said Stampede president Dave Sibbald.
“When the parade follows the (new) route, it actually provides easy access to the park as the first wave (of the parade) clears the streets, and then it’s free and clear access to the park,” Sibbald said.
The parade’s form-up area currently takes up a large footprint, stretching across the East Village for two days at the beginning of Stampede, which can be challenging for residents.
Organizers hope concentrating the form-up area to the south end of East Village will improve access and egress for local residents.
“Our form-up area to the south end of the East Village will allow us to lessen our impact on the congestion of the residential part of the community,” said Stampede committee chair, Michael Wetherup.
“And where the new start is, we now have all of 9th Avenue to line the parade up and that’s very helpful for us.”