For some, it’s a yearly family tradition while others are coming for the very first time to take in the sights and sounds of the 102nd Calgary Stampede Parade.
The parade marks the official start to the Calgary Stampede, which runs for 10 days.
Headed by Parade Marshal William Shatner and his two co-Marshals Gilmore Junio and Denny Morrison, 130 entrants marched in Friday morning's event, including 14 bands, 37 floats, and 53 horse entries.
In total, 700 horses took part in the parade.
People lined the parade route before 6 a.m., with many of the early birds very happy with the result of getting up so early.
Mayor Naheed Nenshi says that he always gets thoughtful by the time Stampede comes around. "When I'm sitting on that horse and I look around the city and get really excited when I think about where we've come since last year, particularly this past year. So, I am really excited."
An estimated 350,000 people watched the parade wind through downtown Calgary.
