The 2025 Calgary Stampede was another great success, with Shania Twain serving as parade marshal, and a procession that boasted 700 horses, 35 floats, and politicians on horseback.Calgary Police Service counted more than 330,000 attendees, with some officers estimating the number was north of 350,000.People of all ages lined the streets wearing cowboy hats and boots and cheering on the performers, which included baton twirlers, cheerleaders, dancers, bagpipes, and woodwind instruments.Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek, Premier Danielle Smith, Alberta NDP leader Naheed Nenshi, and Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner rode by in horse-drawn wagons, and Tory leader Pierre Poilievre stopped his horse to chat with the Western Standard..The parade also featured appearances by the Canadian Armed Forces, the Mounties, the Mounties’ famous Musical Ride group, the Air Force and the Navy, the Calgary Ghostbusters, several First Nations groups, and representatives of multiple different countries, including India, China, and Peru..Board member and past Calgary Stampede president Dr. David Chalack, a veterinarian, told the Western Standard there are approximately 3,000 year-round volunteers that help prepare for the “Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.” In the several weeks leading up to the Stampede, there are even more than that, he said, and about 50 different committees.“I've been a volunteer for many years, but when you get to the governance level, it's very gratifying to see how the organization continues to grow and thrive and really drive the community spirit of Calgary and southern Alberta — (all of) and Alberta for that matter,” Chalack said.“We've got a wonderful CEO now, Joel Cowley. But it starts, of course, with the board of directors. A lot of the board members come up through the volunteer ranks, but we look at competencies. This is a big business, and volunteers are a huge part of the organization.”When asked about the number of horses this year, Chalack said the horses are well looked-after, with two “amazing ranches” designated to accommodate and care for the horses. Many of the horses were raised at one of the two facilities.As a veterinarian himself, he said he’s “familiar with horses and cattle and performance — the risks and injuries.”“They're amazing athletes,” he added.“We have a tremendous breeding program. They are treated like gold — animal welfare is the number one priority for us.”“We work with the Humane Society of Calgary, and we work with the vet school in Calgary here.”.Jennifer Wright, executive director of communications for General Motors Canada, the Stampede’s biggest, long-time sponsor — nearly 50 years — told the Western Standard she is thrilled to be part of the “wonderful community” of the Calgary Stampede.“Calgary is Truck Country,” said Wright.“It's an honor to be part of the festival.”“When you work with great partners, it makes it easy. And we've got almost 50 years of practice, so we've got great partners here. And now, it's execution day, and we get to sit back and enjoy it like everybody else!”
