Stampede tips hat to tradition in kickoff parade

The Calgary Stampede's first queen from 1946 shared the spotlight with R&B singer Jully Black Tuesday at the lineup launch for what's billed as the greatest show on earth.

Patsy Rodgers, the Stampede's inaugural queen in 1946, will be this year's parade marshal, officials announced. More than one hundred former Stampede queens and princesses will be join her in the procession on July 4.

"I was so happy and so surprised," she told reporters.

Meanwhile, Black, who hails from Toronto, served as the launch party's master of ceremonies at the Roundup Centre. She sang three songs and sported a white Stetson — but stuck to high heels rather than cowboy boots.

"Today is the first time I actually put something on my head and messed my hair up," she joked.

As well as Black, there will be shows by Kid Rock, Natasha Bedingfield, James Taylor, the Judds, Sugarland, Hedley and Puddle of Mud during the annual 10-day festival which runs July 4-13.

George Brookman, president of the Calgary Stampede, said it's important the event, which celebrates the cowboy way of life, remains current.

"Half these groups, I don't even know their names, for heaven's sakes — but the kids say you're having so and so and I say is that good?" he said.

Brookman admitted he's become a big fan of Black: "She's huge. I just loved her."

Black said she's looking forward to her first Stampede experience: "The beauty of it is businessmen, women, families, kids involved in its culture — and I think that represents equality and just letting things go," Black said. "I'm looking forward to it."

The Stampede also unveiled a few new food choices on the midway this year — including pizza on a stick and bacon on a stick.