Over the years, the Calgary Stampede Parade has been led by an eclectic mix of icons—from Hollywood royalty like Kevin Costner and William Shatner to actual royalty like Prince Charles and the Duke and Duchess of Connaught.
The list of past Parade Marshals reads like a who’s who of global fame, with names like Pierre Trudeau (1971, 1978), Walt Disney (1965), Sam Elliott (1998), and Chris Hadfield (2013) gracing Calgary’s streets. Even Mickey and Minnie Mouse made an appearance, waving to the Stampede crowds in 1995 and 1983.
Now, Shania Twain is set to join that legendary lineup in 2025, riding horseback through downtown Calgary on July 4. Twain’s appointment adds another chapter to a tradition that stretches back more than a century, blending Western heritage with global star power.
A Century of Icons
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2025 – Shania Twain, Country Music Superstar
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2024 – Owen Crow Shoe, Actor/Piikani Nation & Blood Tribe
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2023 – Jeremy Hansen, Astronaut
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2023 – General Wayne Eyre, Chief of Defence Staff (Honourary Parade Marshal)
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2022 – Kevin Costner, Actor/Musician
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2021 – Katari Right Hand, Indigenous Dancer
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2020 – Filipe Masetti Leite, Long Rider
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2019 – Amber Marshall, Actress
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2018 – Mark McMorris, Olympic Snowboarder
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2017 – Treaty 7 Chiefs: Chief Roy Fox (Kainai/Blood Tribe), Chief Stanley C. Grier (Piikani Nation), Joseph Weasel Child (Siksika Nation), Chief Darcy Dixon (Bearspaw First Nation), Ernest Wesley (Wesley First Nation), Chief Aaron Young (Chiniki First Nation), Chief Lee Crowchild (Tsuut’ina Nation)
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2016 – Jann Arden, Singer
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2016 – Paul Brandt, Singer
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2015 – Kaillie Humphries, Olympic Bobsledder
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2014 – William Shatner, Actor
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2014 – Gilmore Junio, Olympic Speed Skater
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2014 – Denny Morrison, Olympic Speed Skater
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2013 – Chris Hadfield, Canadian Astronaut
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2012 – Ian Tyson, Singer
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2011 – Rick Hansen, Canada's Man in Motion
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2010 – Jett McCoy, The Amazing Race runner-up and Rodeo Contestant
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2010 – Cord McCoy, The Amazing Race runner-up and Rodeo Contestant
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2009 – Mike Holmes, World Skills Honourary Spokesperson
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2008 – Patsy Rodgers, First-ever Calgary Stampede Queen (1946)
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2007 – Benjamin Jordan, Breast Cancer Fundraiser
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2007 – Aaron Jackson, Breast Cancer Fundraiser
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2007 – Rob Lewis, Breast Cancer Fundraiser
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2007 – Carlos Koppen, Breast Cancer Fundraiser
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2006 – Sara Renner, Olympic Cross-Country Skier
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2005 – Ralph Klein, Premier of Alberta
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2005 – Norman Kwong, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta
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2004 – Darryl Sutter, Calgary Flames Head Coach
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2004 – Ken King, Calgary Flames President and CEO
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2004 – Robyn Regehr, Calgary Flames Defenseman
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2003 – Iris Glass, Grand Dame of Chuckwagon Racing
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2002 – Lloyd Robertson, News Anchor
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2002 – Catriona Le May Doan, Olympic Speed Skating Gold Medalist
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2001 – Chris Hadfield, Canadian Astronaut
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2000 – Ron MacLean, Sportscaster
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1999 – Herman Linder, Rodeo and All-Around Champion
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1998 – Sam Elliott, Actor
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1997 – Jack Palance, Actor
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1996 – Dennis Weaver, Actor
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1995 – Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Disney Entertainers
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1994 – Al Duerr, Mayor of Calgary
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1993 – Christopher Reeve, Actor
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1993 – Ralph Klein, Premier of Alberta
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1992 – Leslie Nielsen, Actor
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1991 – Rita MacNeil, Singer
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1991 – L. Gen Kent R. Foster, Canadian Armed Forces
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1990 – Ray Hnatyshyn, Governor General of Canada
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1989 – Treaty 7 Chiefs: Strater Crowfoot (Siksika), Una Wesley (Bearspaw), Roy Whitney (Tsuu T'ina), Leonard Bastien (Piikani), John Snow (Nakoda-Wesley), George LaBelle (Chiniki), John Shot Both Sides (Kainai)
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1988 – Robin Burwash, Champion Bareback Bronc Rider
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1988 – Tracy Wilson, Olympic Pairs Figure Skating Bronze Medalist
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1988 – Robert McCall, Olympic Pairs Figure Skating Bronze Medalist
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1988 – Brian Orser, Olympic Figure Skating Silver Medalist
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1988 – Tom Glass, Champion Chuckwagon Driver
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1988 – Spuds Mackenzie, Dog Mascot
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1987 – Todd Brooker, World Cup Skier
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1987 – Laurie Graham, World Cup Skier
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1948 – Royal Canadian Mounted Police
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1946 – Viscount and Lady Alexander, Governor General of Canada and Wife
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1945 – Members of the Canadian Armed Forces
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1944 – Women of the Canadian Military
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1943 – Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve
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1940 – Soldiers training at Currie Barracks
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1928 – Viscount and Lady Willingdon, Governor General of Canada and Wife
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1925 – Hoot Gibson, Rodeo Champion and Actor
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1923 – George Webster, Mayor of Calgary
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1923 – Guy Weadick, Founder of the Calgary Stampede
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1923 – I.G. Ruttle
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1912 – Duke and Duchess of Connaught, Governor General of Canada and Wife
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1904–1939 – James, Chief of the Calgary Fire Department
Twain’s upcoming appearance will mark her return to the Stampede after her performance at the Saddledome in 2014. The five-time Grammy Award winner will headline a concert on Saturday, July 5, 2025, as part of the Stampede Concert Series.
"The city of Calgary and the province of Alberta have always held a very special place in my heart," Twain said in a statement. "The Calgary Stampede is an amazing celebration of Western heritage and culture and embodies the true spirit of Calgarians and Canadians."
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