While Airdrie prepares for its Canada Day parade on July 1, Calgary is bracing for a second major celebration later in the week.
The 113th Calgary Stampede Parade rolls through downtown Calgary starting at 9 a.m. on Friday, July 4, marking the official kickoff to the 2025 edition of the Stampede.
This year’s lineup includes more than 110 parade entries — 35 floats, over 30 equine groups, and nine marching bands — with more than 700 horses expected on the five-kilometre route. Organizers expect the parade to last roughly two hours.
The route begins at 3 St. S.E. and travels west along 9 Ave. S.E.
Before the parade, a separate “Parade Prelude” will feature 27 early acts beginning at 8 a.m. Organizers say more than 1,500 dancers, mascots, acrobats and cultural performers are involved.
Shania Twain, named Parade Marshal, will lead the procession. Calgary-born pop artist Devon Cole will serve as celebrity judge.
Stampede organizers say more than 200 volunteers help deliver the annual event, which drew an estimated 350,000 spectators in 2024.
Street parking bans go into effect at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 3, in areas south of downtown and in East Village. Road closures throughout the downtown core begin at 7:30 a.m. Friday. Calgary police typically reopen access by 1 p.m., once the route is cleared.
Calgary Transit will run around-the-clock service from the evening of July 3 through the morning of July 14.
Free admission to Stampede Park is available between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on parade day for anyone arriving directly from the parade.
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