The parade will take its usual route starting at 3rd Street S.E., heading west along 9th Avenue, turning northbound at 10th Street S.W. and taking it home eastbound along 6th Avenue toward Fort Calgary
As always, the Calgary Stampede parade is no-cost entertainment, with 100 entries including 21 floats, 11 bands and nearly 40 equine entries, from heavy horse hitches to mounted colour parties and up to 700 horses.
Parade Prelude kicks off a load of entertainment before the official parade starts with up to 32 acts along the route starting at 7:45 a.m. keeping spectators, especially wiggly young cowpokes, occupied.
For the main event, floats to watch for will include “Coding for Veterans,” tipping cowboy hats to a unique training program for military veterans looking to find work in technology. The float won Best International Entry in the Rose Bowl Parade earlier this year, Young said.
As well, floats celebrating special anniversaries are expected to be spectacular, including the Royal Canadian Air Force, celebrating 100 years, as well as Heritage Park, marking its 60th birthday this year.
The parade will take its usual route starting at 3rd Street S.E., heading west along 9th Avenue, turning northbound at 10th Street S.W. and taking it home eastbound along 6th Avenue toward Fort Calgary.
Most roads in and out of downtown will close at 7:30 a.m. and do not reopen until the parade concludes and police determine it’s safe. Roads in and around the East Village will also be closed to on-street parking at noon Thursday, and will be closed to traffic at 6:30 a.m. Friday.
We have journalists downtown and will be providing live updates throughout the parade. We invite you to join the conversation!