Country superstar and 2025 Calgary Stampede Parade Marshal Shania Twain will ride horseback through downtown Calgary on Friday morning.Twain is set to lead the parade, which this year features 35 floats and more than 700 horses.Calgary-born pop artist Devon Cole is serving as the 2025 celebrity judge.“I love Stampede; as a Calgarian it means everything to me that I’m a part of this… I’m so excited to see the floats, and the Stampede Royalty and Shania Twain,” said Cole in a press release.Paradegoers who attend in person will receive free admission to Stampede Park from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m..Twain, who is to headline this year’s Saddledome concert series, will lead a 5-km downtown route featuring more than 110 entries: nine marching bands, more than 30 equine groups, and dozens of floats celebrating western heritage.The 700 horses will carry RCMP officers, First Nations riders, Stampede royalty, trick riders, and wagon teams.“Since 1912, the Stampede Parade has always been about more than just a parade — it’s a vibrant tradition that brings our community together in a celebration of Western heritage, creativity and civic pride,” said Stuart O’Connor, President & Chair of the Calgary Stampede Board in a press release..The route begins near 9 Ave. S.E. and 3 St. S.E. and winds through the downtown core toward Stampede Park. Road closures are already posted, and city officials urge paradegoers to arrive early and take transit.For locals and tourists alike, it’s the official launch of “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.” And with Shania Twain in the saddle, this year’s parade is already shaping up to be one to remember.“The parade sets the tone for 10 unforgettable days in Calgary, and the more than 200 dedicated volunteers of the Calgary Stampede Parade Committee are proud to deliver an exciting show for everyone to enjoy… we encourage those coming downtown to arrive early and take in the spectacular Parade Prelude,” said Blair Barkley, Volunteer Chair of the Stampede Parade Committee....more to come
