A quarter of a million people were expected to come out and watch the parade, led this year by parade marshal and retired astronaut Chris Hadfield, the first Canadian to command the International Space Station.
The Stampede’s unofficial opener on Thursday drew 26,886 people on a rainy and windy night, down about 12,000 from last year.
The cleanup is far from complete in Calgary and in other southern Alberta communities hard hit by the torrential rains that caused rivers and streams to burst their banks beginning June 20. In Calgary alone, 75,000 people were evacuated from their homes. In High River, where some of the worst damage took place, 13,000 were evacuated — many of them only allowed to return home in the last few days.
Due to safety concerns, others have not yet been allowed to go home and will remain in temporary housing until they get the go-ahead.
The parade and the entire Stampede will pay tribute to first responders who risked their lives to help those in need during the flood crisis.
Though some events had to be relocated — partly due to the fact the Saddledome was badly damaged by flooding — and some concerts had to be cancelled, organizers made it their mission to provide a full Stampede experience this year, despite the challenges.
This year’s slogan is Hell or High Water, a reference to the city’s determination to go ahead with its signature event despite the devastation by last month’s floods. Even Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi has donned one of the popular black “hell or high water” Stampede shirts seen across the city, worn by supporters of the event.
A statement on the Stampede website reads, “The spirit of the citizens and volunteers of Calgary and the Calgary Stampede cannot be washed away — the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth will go on — the spirit of our community cannot be washed away!”
The 101st annual Calgary Stampede runs from July 5 to 14.
