The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth went outside of the planet in its pursuit of a 2013 Parade Marshal.
Bob Thompson, the President and Chair of the Calgary Stampede, extended an invitation to Commander Chris Hadfield to head this year’s parade through downtown Calgary.
Thompson presented the invite in a video posted on YouTube Thursday morning.
Commander Hadfield accepted the offer via Twitter Thursday afternoon.
.@calgarystampede I would be THRILLED to be the Stampede Parade Marshall! A great reason to come back to Earth!
“The Calgary Stampede is an iconic event; to be asked to lead the Parade is an incredible honour,” says Hadfield. “Going from zero gravity to horse-back is going to be a huge adjustment, but I’m up for the challenge.”
Hadfield is set to return to Earth on May 13.
This year's parade will be held on Friday, July 5 and will be Hadfield’s second stint as Stampede Parade Marshal. The astronaut also led the 2001 parade.
The Calgary Stampede has provided a complete list of previous Stampede Parade Marshals.
