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Vancouver Sun
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Vancouver Sun
Shania Twain leaves lasting impression at this year's Calgary Stampede
Country music icon Shania Twain didn't just lead the parade at this year's Calgary Stampede — she made a lasting impression across the grounds, including a meaningful visit to Elbow River Camp. Twain was a natural choice to lead the parade, according to Stuart O'Connor, Stampede president and board chair. 'She truly embodied the grit, determination and passion that's really so fundamental to the spirit of the Stampede,' O'Connor said. Twain rode on horseback at the front of the parade, with O'Connor and others following closely behind. 'She was very gracious, and I would say very authentic,' O'Connor said. 'She loves the western heritage, thoroughly loves her horses, and it showed throughout the day with her.' The crowd lining the route, which comprised nearly 340,000 people, was ecstatic to see her, O'Connor said. 'As a literal Canadian music icon, you could tell how much she meant to so many folks,' he said. When I say 'let's go girls' I could ride a horse through the streets of Calgary! 😂🐴 What a weekend!! I don't even know... One of Twain's first stops after the parade was a peaceful visit to Elbow River Camp, which O'Connor said she specifically requested. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Organizers were surprised and honoured by her interest, and were happy to tour her around the camp. What was initially supposed to be a 15-minute tour stretched to nearly 45 minutes, when Twain arrived almost an hour early. 'To know that she came here and wanted to know more, it was just an honour to talk with her and kind of share my story of growing up in my Blackfoot culture,' said Elbow River Camp co-ordinator Vanessa Stiffarm. Twain strolled around the camp, meeting tipi-holders and learning more about the history of the Treaty 7 nations. 'She was just so friendly and really willing to learn,' said Stiffarm. Elbow River Camp features a variety of cultural programming and demonstrations, including the return of the tipi competition for the first time since 2018. 'Even though we're in Stampede Park, it kind of feels like you're off on your own. It's a place where you can just lie, relax in the grass or find a shady place to come watch any of our programs,' Stiffarm said. 'It's just a little bit of history that you won't find anywhere else.' Twain's parade appearance also featured a custom piece of Stampede gear — the official parade marshal hat, made locally by Smithbilt Hats. Located in Inglewood and operating since 1919, each year Smithbilt crafts a hat made from 100 per cent beaver felt for the parade marshal. 'It's basically no different than any of the hats we make for people walking through our door,' said Holly Allen, general manager at Smithbilt Hats. But this year, there were a few extra considerations. Twain's stylist requested black and red in the design, so a custom hat band was created for the occasion. Multiple hats were made to ensure a proper fit, and Allen said at least one of them may end up on display in one of the Stampede's exhibition spaces, though she didn't have exact details. Business at the iconic hat shop has been booming this year's Stampede season. Since May 1, Smithbilt has hosted more than 175 corporate events, with foot traffic beginning to surge as far ahead of the Stampede as March. 'It's our Christmas,' Allen said. 'But this year, Christmas started early.' bnicholls@ READY FOR MORE STAMPEDE CONTENT? CHECK OUT THESE 2025 CALGARY STAMPEDE FEATURES:
Calgary Herald
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Calgary Herald
Shania Twain leaves lasting impression at this year's Calgary Stampede
Article content Country music icon Shania Twain didn't just lead the parade at this year's Calgary Stampede — she made a lasting impression across the grounds, including a meaningful visit to Elbow River Camp. Article content Twain was a natural choice to lead the parade, according to Stuart O'Connor, Stampede president and board chair. Article content Article content 'She truly embodied the grit, determination and passion that's really so fundamental to the spirit of the Stampede,' O'Connor said. Article content Twain rode on horseback at the front of the parade, with O'Connor and others following closely behind. Article content 'She was very gracious, and I would say very authentic,' O'Connor said. 'She loves the western heritage, thoroughly loves her horses, and it showed throughout the day with her.' Article content The crowd lining the route was ecstatic to see her, O'Connor said. Article content When I say 'let's go girls' I could ride a horse through the streets of Calgary! 😂🐴 What a weekend!! I don't even know... Posted by Shania Twain on Monday, July 7, 2025 Article content One of Twain's first stops after the parade was a peaceful visit to Elbow River Camp, which O'Connor said she specifically requested. Article content Article content Organizers were surprised and honoured by her interest, and were happy to tour her around the camp. What was initially supposed to be a 15-minute tour stretched to nearly 45 minutes, when Twain arrived almost an hour early. Article content 'To know that she came here and wanted to know more, it was just an honour to talk with her and kind of share my story of growing up in my Blackfoot culture,' said Elbow River Camp co-ordinator Vanessa Stiffarm. Article content 'She was just so friendly and really willing to learn,' said Stiffarm. Article content Elbow River Camp features a variety of cultural programming and demonstrations, including the return of the tipi competition for the first time since 2018. Article content Article content 'Even though we're in Stampede Park, it kind of feels like you're off on your own. It's a place where you can just lie, relax in the grass or find a shady place to come watch any of our programs,' Stiffarm said. 'It's just a little bit of history that you won't find anywhere else.' Article content Twain's parade appearance also featured a custom piece of Stampede gear — the official parade marshal hat, made locally by Smithbilt Hats. Article content Located in Inglewood and operating since 1919, each year Smithbilt crafts a hat made from 100 per cent beaver felt for the parade marshal. Article content 'It's basically no different than any of the hats we make for people walking through our door,' said Holly Allen, general manager at Smithbilt Hats. Article content But this year, there were a few extra considerations. Twain's stylist requested black and red in the design, so a custom hat band was created for the occasion. Article content Multiple hats were made to ensure a proper fit, and Allen said at least one of them may end up on display in one of the Stampede's exhibition spaces, though she didn't have exact details. Article content Business at the iconic hat shop has been booming this year's Stampede season. Since May 1, Smithbilt has hosted more than 175 corporate events, with foot traffic beginning to surge as far ahead of the Stampede as March.
