Jann Arden and Paul Brandt named 2016 Calgary Stampede parade marshals
Danielle Nerman | CBC News | Posted: June 8, 2016 6:32 PM | Last Updated: June 8, 2016
Alberta singers will lead July parade
Calgary Stampede officials have named Alberta singers Jann Arden and Paul Brandt as joint parade marshals in honour of the city's Year of Music.
"These individuals have talent, brand, values and personalities that reflect those of Calgary and its citizens," said Calgary Stampede president Bill Gray, who made the announcement on Wednesday.
"It seemed very fitting, this being Calgary's Year of Music."
Sweet ride
The pair made quite the entrance, sitting in the back of a convertible with the licence plate "YEEEHAW".
The dash of the 1966 Pontiac Bonneville is decorated with more than 300 silver dollars coins and the front bench seats are separated by a leather saddle.
The car was customized by the late Nudie Cohn, an American tailor who made rhinestone suits and outrageous western wear for Elvis Presley, Elton John, John Lennon, Johnny Cash and John Wayne.
Just call them 'PB&J'
"I'm looking forward to eating things," said Arden about the 2016 Stampede, which runs from July 8-17, with the parade opening the internationally-known event.
"They've already started calling us PB&J," said Brandt.
Both musicians reminisced about watching the Stampede parade as children. Arden said she had "maybe missed four or five Stampedes" in her entire life.
Arden said she's thrilled to lead the parade and joked that she's "excited about a chance to, perhaps, sleep with Paul."
"Well you already got me in the back seat of that car," laughed Brandt.
First responders honoured
In 2013, the Calgary Stampede parade tipped its cowboy hat to police, EMS and other local agencies who stepped up during the southern Alberta floods.
Gray said that's going to happen again this year with a "special tribute" to first responders in the Fort McMurray wildfires.
Recent Stampede parade marshals include actor William Shatner, astronaut Chris Hadfield, singer Ian Tyson and "Man in Motion" Rick Hansen.