‘It's a privilege': Shania Twain kicks off 2025 Calgary Stampede Parade
Hundreds of thousands of people flocked to downtown Calgary on Friday to watch the 2025 Stampede Parade.
The parade serves as the official kickoff to the Stampede and features more than a hundred western-themed entries, including dozens of floats and marching bands, more than 700 horses and 5,000 people.
This year, Canadian country music icon Shania Twain was the parade marshal.
'I'm so happy to be here in Calgary,' Twain said, speaking ahead of her Stampede Parade appearance. 'I am honoured.'
'It's a privilege to be the parade marshal. It's been a dream of mine for a very long time.'
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Shania Twain speaks about being Stampede Parade marshal
Country superstar Shania Twain says she's honoured to be the 2025 Stampede Parade marshal.
Twain said she's never been a part of the Stampede parade before and was especially excited to be riding a horse in it.
'This makes me very happy! Horses are my best friends and I spend a lot of time with horses.'
'People come from all over the world to attend [the Stampede],' she said. 'We should be very proud of that.'
More than 100 people have served as parade marshal over the years, including politicians, Hollywood celebrities, sports heroes and royalty.
Most recently, in 2024, it was Owen Crow Shoe.
Other notable marshals include actor Kevin Costner, musicians Jann Arden and Paul Brandt, Olympian Kaillie Humphries, actor William Shatner, astronaut Chris Hadfield, Man in Motion Rick Hansen, actor Christopher Reeve and Mickey Mouse.
Calgary-born singer-songwriter Devon Cole served as the 2025 celebrity judge.
'Obviously, as a Calgarian, Stampede means truly everything to me – more than my birthday and Christmas combined,' she said. 'I'm so excited to be a part of Stampede in any capacity. I love Stampede so much!'
Cole will also open for Twain at her Saturday concert at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
'I'm overjoyed! I'm over the moon about it,' Cole said. 'I love her so much, she's my hero – my personal hero, personal icon.'
Another icon – Harry the Horse – celebrated a big anniversary on Friday.
It was the Stampede mascot's 40th year kicking off the Stampede Parade.
Calgary Stampede mascot Harry the Horse
Calgary Stampede mascot Harry the Horse leads off the Calgary Stampede parade in Calgary, Friday, July 5, 2024. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh)
Keith Marlowe, vice chair of the Calgary Parade Committee, said the weather on Friday was perfect for the parade.
'The parade is put together by 200 volunteers,' he explained. 'We work all year round. We'll start working on next year's parade in about a week or so. This is a huge, huge effort and it's something we're very passionate about because to bring smiles to this many people in downtown Calgary – it's an incredible feeling.'
Proud parents Kelly and Ryan talk woke up early to get a seat at the parade to watch for their daughters, who were both participating in the 2025 event.
'It's actually awesome,' said Ryan, choking back tears.
Sisters Aria and Quinn for at the Stampede Parade for a third time.
'I love how the band goes so loud, and I love the hype they always give,' said one of the sisters.
CTV News viewer Val, meanwhile, shared a special story of how she scored such a good seat for the parade.
'Last year, I put a little note in my calendar saying 'Get to the parade route by 6:15 a.m.' So I set my alarm for 5 a.m. I live in a tall building [near the route] and I got my binoculars out and people were already lining up! So, I said, 'Get up, we've got to get going.''
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Rachel Harper, six, left, watches her dad Conservative leader Stephen Harper dish out pancakes at a Stampede breakfast in Calgary on Tuesday, July 12, 2005. (The Canadian Press / Jeff McIntosh)
Conservative Leader Stephen Harper, left, waves to the crowd as he participates in the Calgary Stampede parade in Calgary, Friday July 8, 2005. (The Canadian Press / Jeff McIntosh)
Prime Minister Stephen Harper poses for a photo with the queen and princesses from the Calgary Stampede while attending the annual Senator Dan Hays Stampede Breakfast at Heritage Park in Calgary, Alberta on Sunday July 9, 2006. (The Canadian Press / Larry MacDougal)
Prime Minister Stephen Harper adjusts his hat after arriving for the president's dinner at the Calgary Stampede in Calgary, Friday, July 7, 2006. (The Canadian Press / Jeff McIntosh)
At the beginning of the Calgary Stampede parade Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his kids Ben, age 10, and Rachel, age 7, give a thumbs up with wife Laureen (top centre) in Calgary, on Friday, July 6, 2007. (The Canadian Press / Larry MacDougal)
Prime Minister Stephen Harper poses with Calgary Stampede queens Amanda Byrne, left to right, Amanda Kochan, and Caia Morstad, while attending a Stampede breakfast at Heritage Park in Calgary, Sunday, July 8, 2007. (The Canadian Press / Jeff McIntosh)
Prime Minister Stephen Harper, second from right to left, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Laureen Harper watch a child sheep ride event at the Stampede in Calgary on Thursday, July 7, 2011. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
(JONATHAN HAYWARD/The Canadian Press)
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Laureen Harper react as they watch a bull riding at the Calgary Stampede on Thursday, July 7, 2011. (The Canadian Press / Nathan Denette)
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prime Minister Stephen Harper leave a reception at the Calgary Stampede Thursday, July 7, 2011. (The Canadian Press / Jeff McIntosh)
Prime Minister Stephen Harper, right, and his wife Laureen arrive for the Calgary Stampede president's dinner in Calgary, Friday, July 6, 2012. (The Canadian Press / Jeff McIntosh)
Liberal MP Justin Trudeau, centre, has his cowboy taken by his son Xavier, 4 years-old, while his wife Sophie Gregoire, second from left, holds daughet Ella-Grace, 3 years old, while they attend the party's annual Stampede breakfast in Calgary, Saturday, July 7, 2012. (The Canadian Press / Jeff McIntosh
Liberal Leader Bob Rae, centre, and MP Justin Trudeau, left, joke with Lyall Curry, 92, while attending the party's annual Stampede breakfast in Calgary, Saturday, July 7, 2012. (The Canadian Press / Jeff McIntosh)
Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau greets spectators during the Calgary Stampede parade in Calgary, Friday, July 3, 2015. (The Canadian Press / Jeff McIntosh)
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, centre, flips flapjacks at a Stampede breakfast in Calgary, Alta., Saturday, July 16, 2016. (The Canadian Press / Jeff McIntosh)
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his daughter Ella-Grace enjoy a ride during their visit to the Calgary Stampede, in Calgary on Friday, July 15, 2016. (The Canadian Press / Jeff McIntosh)
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, centre, poses with the Stampede Queen and Princesses at the Calgary Stampede in Calgary, Alta., Saturday, July 15, 2017. (The Canadian Press / Jeff McIntosh)
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau greets rodeo fans in the rain during his visit to the Calgary Stampede, in Calgary on Friday, July 15, 2016. (The Canadian Press / Jeff McIntosh)
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wears a personalized belt buckle as he attends the Stampede in Calgary on Saturday, July 7, 2018. (The Canadian Press / Jeff McIntosh)
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau takes in the sights at the Calgary Stampede on Sunday, July 10, 2022. (The Canadian Press / Jeff McIntosh)
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, centre, cooks pancakes as he attends a Stampede pancake breakfast in Calgary, Saturday, July 8, 2023. (The Canadian Press / Jeff McIntosh)
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, left, and RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme walk the grounds of the Calgary Stampede on Friday, July 7, 2023. (The Canadian Press / Jeff McIntosh)
Prime Minister Jean Chretien holds up his jeans to show his new cowboy boots to the crowd at a Liberal Stampede breakfast in Calgary on July 8, 1995. (The Canadian Press / Mike Ridewood)
Prime Minister Paul Martin flips a pancake during a stop at the Calgary Stampede on Saturday July 17, 2004. (The Canadian Press / Jeff McIntosh)
Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau and his wife Margaret Trudeau at the Calgary Stampede on July 24, 1971. (Photo by Graham Bezant/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
Several politicians were also participating in the parade.
'Great to be in my hometown of Calgary for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth,' said Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre from atop a horse. 'It's a beautiful horse! Thanks to the Rafter Six Ranch – and thanks to all of my hometown friends and neighbours for all the great western hospitality.'
'I love the parade,' Alberta NDP Leader and former Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi said. 'Anybody can come, there's no money involved, you just have to get up a little bit early.'
'Like everybody else, I was kind of excited to see Shania Twain,' he added.
The 2025 Calgary Stampede runs from July 4 to 13.
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