'Safety remains a top priority': Calgary safety agencies prepare for Stampede
Article content
Director of public safety and environment for the Calgary Stampede, Kerri Blizard, said that they are excited to welcome everyone to the grounds for 2025, adding that safety remains a top priority for everyone.
Article content
Article content
Article content
'We have several measures in place to ensure our guests celebrate safely when they step into Stampede Park,' Blizard said. 'These measures will be familiar to those who've stepped onto Stampede Park before, including walk-through metal detectors, wands, bag searches at the entrance and cameras located throughout Stampede Park.'
Article content
Article content
'If you wouldn't bring it on a plane, please don't bring it to Stampede Park,' she said.
Article content
Calgary Emergency Management Safety Chief Sue Henry said their group has been working very closely with Calgary Stampede organizers, Calgary Police Service, and other external agencies to make sure the event goes off without a hitch, pun intended.
Article content
'We have done extensive planning to make sure that it is as safe as possible for everyone to enjoy,' Henry said. 'That said, we do have plans and contingencies in place to make sure that we can respond to any changing conditions as they occur.'
Article content
Article content
Article content
With a heat warning in effect from Environment and Climate Change Canada Wednesday, all attendees are asked to take extra care whether they are attending the parade or roaming the grounds.
Article content
At the first sight of anyone experiencing distress, Henry said to immediately dial 911.
Article content
'That said, we don't want you to call 911 by accident,' Henry said. 'Accidental calls can take a lot of time away from actual emergencies. If you are going on a ride, consider leaving your phone with a trusted friend, turning it off for the duration of the ride, or turn off the Crash Detection feature so you don't accidentally call 911.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Calgary Herald
an hour ago
- Calgary Herald
Everything you need to know about the 2025 Stampede Parade
The Stampede Parade is the official kick-off of the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, and has been since 1912. Article content '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,' says Stuart O'Connor, president and chair of the board at the Calgary Stampede. Article content Article content Article content The parade prelude performances begin at 7:45 a.m., and the parade itself kicks off at 9 a.m. Seating fills up quickly, though, so many choose to arrive as early as 5 or 6 a.m. to get the best view. Article content More than 80 per cent of the parade route along 6 and 9 Avenues are available for free-of-charge seating. Check out the map below for details on the parade route. Article content Article content Road closures along the parade route begin at 7:30, and parking in the area is restricted starting Thursday at noon. Transit, walking or carpooling are the best ways to get there. More details are available on the parade website. Article content What to bring Article content The forecast is showing perfect parade weather – mostly blue skies, but not too hot – but it's good to be prepared. The parade committee recommends bringing a hat, sunscreen and a water bottle. Water refill stations and portable toilets will be available along the parade route. Article content Article content The committee also recommends being prepared with rain gear, but asks that umbrellas be left at home, as they could impede others' view. Article content Safety Article content EMS will be on site in case of any emergencies, but for yours and others' safety, do not cross the parade route at any time, and keep a close eye on children. Dress for the weather and stay hydrated to avoid any heat-related emergencies. Article content What you'll see Article content This year's parade marshal is Canadian country music icon Shania Twain. She's a five-time Grammy award winner, a Canadian Music Hall of Famer and the best-selling female country pop artist of all time – and she'll also be performing on July 5 at the Saddledome. Article content Calgary-born singer-songwriter Devon Cole will be the Stampede Parade Celebrity Judge, so she'll be there to select her favourite parade entry. Keep an eye out for beloved Stampede mascot Harry the Horse, who turns 40 this year. Article content The Stampede Parade the second largest parade in North America, after the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, California. It features more than 100 entries, including 35 floats, nine marching bands, eight mounted colour parties and more than 700 horses.
CTV News
16 hours ago
- CTV News
Stampede safety measures announced
First responders are planning strategies for visitors to cope with the crowds, crime and weather, which can all be factors at the Calgary Stampede. Emergency officials say they want this year's Calgary Stampede to go off without a hitch as a safe event for everyone. First responders say they have planned for the crowds, crime, and weather; which can all be unpredictable. As with previous years, there will be metal detectors and bag searches by security teams at entrance gates. 'If you wouldn't bring it on an airplane, don't bring it to Stampede,' said Kerrie Blizard, director of public safety and environment with the Calgary Stampede. Drones New this year: Calgary police will be flying drones over the crowds. The drones are a carry-over from the G7 Summit that took place in Kananaskis Country in June 'We will be flying the drones to monitor overhead just like we would with the helicopter,' said Staff Sgt. Scott Campbell, Stampede incident commander, Calgary Police Service. 'During Stampede, (we) actually turn the Stampede Grounds into a ninth district, including an incident commander, our own dispatch, our own ops centre, and staff it with members from across the service,' Campbell added. Personal drones cannot be flown downtown during Stampede. Violators could be fined up to $3,000. Safety set-up Anti-ramming barricades -- also known as bollards --have been installed to deter vehicles from driving onto the grounds. Extreme weather is also a top concern for Stampede officials. 'We have a number of weather monitoring systems including lightning detection, wind detection, (and) air quality monitoring,' said Blizard. The huge crowds that gather at Stampede can make July weather feel even hotter than it already is. Blizard is reminding attendees to keep hydrated, and cool down indoors if need be. The Calgary Emergency Management Agency is prepared for extreme weather, and advises Stampede visitors to keep smart devices charged -- either to call for help or to get up to date emergency alerts. An estimated 1.3 million people are expected over the course of the 10 days.
Global News
18 hours ago
- Global News
Tornado warning issued for area of Alberta between Edmonton and Obed Lake
Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a tornado warning for an area in central Alberta between Edmonton and Obed Lake on Wednesday afternoon. The weather agency issued the warning just after 5 p.m. and said the alert was issued for that area 'within approximately 150 kilometres north or south of Highway 16.' 'Conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms which may produce tornadoes,' ECCC said in an Alberta Emergency Alert that it issued. 'Strong winds, large hail and heavy rain are also possible. Some severe thunderstorms that occur in these regions may produce a tornado. The greatest tornado risk is between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'This is a dangerous and potentially life-threatening situation.' More to come…
