Despite the rain, the 107th Calgary Stampede Parade kicked off on schedule Friday.
Heartland star Amber Marshall served as parade marshal, riding her horse, Stormy and there were 112 entries, including over 200 horses, 32 floats and 19 marching bands.
The streets were packed in downtown Calgary but crowds were smaller than expected, with police estimating attendance between 120,000 and 130,000. By comparison, an estimated crowd of 300,000 took in last year's parade, and in 2017 it was about 275,000.
"We're an outdoor show, so we're always pretty prepared for the weather but we did have to make minor adjustments as far as the form-up area goes for ohorse safety, but other than that, the parade is going to roll on," said Stampede spokesperson Jenn Booth.
The rain also meant some logisitcal changes as the staging area had to be moved from Fort Calgary so the horses didn't damage the grass.
Attendance to the Stampede grounds was free from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p .m.
Streets closed for the parade have since been re-opened.
