Calgary Stampede Parade: Check out these highlights or watch a replay of the whole thing
106th annual parade featured 750 horses, 32 floats, 12 marching bands and about 4,000 people
The Calgary Stampede officially got under way Friday as about 150,000 spectators lined the route for the 2018 edition of the annual parade.
The parade's 116 entries were led by the Calgary Stampede Showband as it travelled the 4.5-kilometre route through downtown.
CBC Calgary's Doug Dirks and Angela Knight hosted the show. Heartland's Graham Wardle, who plays Ty Borden, reported on the 106th Stampede Parade from the sidelines.
If you didn't make it to the parade in person, don't worry.
- You can watch a replay of CBC's live coverage in the video box at the top of this story, or see a recap on our CBC Calgary Facebook feed.
- The parade will also be broadcast again on Saturday at 10 a.m. on CBC TV.
Two-time Olympic bronze medal winning snowboarder Mark McMorris was the marshal of this year's parade, which included 750 horses, 32 floats, 12 marching bands and about 4,000 people marching, riding or otherwise taking part.
"It's pretty messed up that I got to this position by riding a piece of wood down a mountain," McMorris said Friday before the parade.
"I'm glad I can inspire the youth. It's good. There's a youthful presence here at the Stampede."
McMorris, who was riding a horse called Texas, was expecting to be a bit sore by the end of the parade.
"I'm excited to see if I'm bowlegged."
Some parade veterans camped out at 5:30 a.m. or even earlier to get a good spot. Lisa Jonas and her three-year-old daughter Brianna got prime seats on the edge of the Ninth Avenue sidewalk.
"I have been here since 6 a.m. this morning," she said. "This is her first Stampede and I wanted to make sure we got really good seats, and I know how busy Calgary can be, being here my entire life."
Follow CBC Calgary online via the Calgary Stampede 2018 live blog for all the latest updates and join the conversation on social media by tweeting @CBCCalgary with the hashtag #GiddyUpYYC.
You can also tweet @cbcsports with the hashtag #Stampede2017.
Get the latest photos, video and developments in tweets from CBC staff on the ground in our blog below.
Road closures in core
The following streets will be closed starting at 7:30 a.m.:
- Ninth Avenue westbound from First Street S.E. to 10th Street S.W.
- 10th Street S.W. from Ninth Avenue S.W. to Sixth Avenue S.W.
- Eastbound Sixth Avenue from 10th Street S.W. to Third Street S.E.
All the routes were expected to reopen by 2 p.m.
Admission to the grounds was free from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
This year, visitors can try out the new zipline, there's a whole menu of quirky foods and skill (or luck) testing carnival games on the midway and, of course, there's the world-famous Calgary Stampede Rodeo and the Chuckwagon Races.
Watch CBC's Jenny Howe try out the Stampede's zipline:
"Truly our volunteers and employees have been working around the clock since the last day last year to plan this event, and there's so many new attractions and events and opportunities," Calgary Stampede president David Sibbald told the Calgary Eyeopener.
Prepare for warm weather
The forecast for Friday is for sunshine with a high of 30 C and UV index of 10 or very high, Environment Canada says.
If you're heading down, wear waterproof sunscreen of 30 SPF or higher, reapplying frequently, and drink lots of water. Alberta Health Services is recommending people wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and long-sleeved shirts to cover skin, and to bring a backpack with water, extra shoes, healthy snacks and sunscreen.
The health authority says to watch for symptoms of heat exhaustion and sunstroke, such as feeling dizzy, nauseated, disoriented or faint, and having a high body temperature or lack of sweat.
The warm, sunny weather is expected to continue for much of Stampede week. Even if it does rain, Sibbald said there are many indoor activities available, which are detailed on a map and schedule online.
Also check out the pancake breakfasts throughout the city and peruse the list of items you should leave at home when you go to Stampede Park.
"Bring anything you want but don't bring anything you wouldn't bring to an airport," Sibbald said.
The Stampede has implemented some new security measures, including metal detectors and vehicle barriers.
CBC will be broadcasting throughout the Stampede, as well as providing extensive coverage online at cbc.ca/sports/calgarystampede.
Getting there
Calgary Transit has two C-Train stations near the Stampede grounds, and while the LRT is free downtown, the transit authority is also offering discounted passes during the Stampede.
Parking can be hard to find, so organizers are encouraging people to choose public transit.
A number of parking lots will be closed, as well.
From Thursday at 6 p.m. to Friday at 2 p.m., these lots will be closed:
- Lot 62 at 407 Ninth Avenue S.E.
- Lot 62B at 363 10th Avenue S.E.
- Lot 55 at 724 Fourth Street S.E.
- Lot 66 at 830 Ninth Avenue S.W.
On Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., these lots will be closed:
- City Centre Parkade at the 221 Ninth Avenue S.W. entrance. The parkade will be accessible at the 340 10th Avenue S.W. entrance
- Centennial Parkade at 608 Ninth Avenue S.W. and 823 Fifth Street S.W.
- Convention Centre Parkade at 727 First Street S.E.
- Arts Commons Parkade at 829 Macleod Trail S.E.
- Lot 7 at 208 Ninth Avenue S.W.
- Lot 91 at 610 Third Street S.E.
- City Hall Parkade at 322 Ninth Avenue S.E.
Anyone who wants to attend the Stampede is encouraged to dress the part with blue jeans, belt buckles, boots, hats and neckties, if you're so inclined.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the iconic Calgary Stampede TransAlta Grandstand Show, which follows the nightly GMC Rangeland Derby Chuckwagon Races.
The Stampede runs from July 6 to July 15.
Listen to Heartland actor Graham Wardle on his job in the Stampede:
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With files from the Calgary Eyeopener.
With files from CBC News