Stampede parade still rides on...but some “Back to the Future” is needed

For over 110 years, it’s been the big daddy of western-themed parades in North America. It’s considered the third-largest overall parade event on the continent, ... Read more

For over 110 years, it’s been the big daddy of western-themed parades in North America. It’s considered the third-largest overall parade event on the continent, and that would be the Calgary Stampede Parade. There were 700 horses in this year’s Parade, although there seem to be fewer than a couple of decades ago.

I am amazed at where all the horses are assembled before the Parade starts. Considering all the dignitaries, politicians, past and present Stampede royalty and other folks on horseback, every rideable horse within 50 miles of Calgary must have been borrowed or rented for the event. One famous horse regularly seen by millions, the Calgary Stampeders Football Club touchdown horse, was nice to see in the flesh.

The Parade features honorary marshals, usually folks like Royalty, astronauts, Hollywood stars, etc. Politicians have been out of favour for some time, given how partisan everything is nowadays. This year, two Olympians were the marshals.

With all due respect to them, I expect most Parade attendees had no clue who these good people were. The better-known marshals should have been two of the stars of the long-running TV series Murdoch Mysteries, who were relegated to a less prominent place in the middle of the Parade. Most MPs, MLAs, and city councillors were crowded into wagons.

No sign of Prime Minister Carney, but then Liberal PMs tend to avoid open public events in Calgary – booing and heckling being a hazard. What was missing from the Parade this year were big, flashy show bands from the USA. I expect none were invited due to the sensitive politics and trade tensions between our two countries.

Such marching bands are something of a US invention, and they know how to perform. Mind you, the official Stampede band is a world-class operation and has been seen in famous parades like the Rose Parade in Los Angeles. The only out-of-province marching band, I think, was from Burlington, Ontario.

Rather shocking was seeing a Scottish pipe band wearing cowboy hats! Over time, the Stampede Parade has changed its character; there are now more ethnic community bands, dancers, and floats. That’s a good thing as it adds colour, music and pizazz.

Fewer energy companies seem to be present in the Parade than before. Perennial participants are the Shriners with their miniature planes and cars racing around. Their presence seems to have diminished.

They once had a large mounted horse corps and an Oriental Band in the Parade. I fear there are fewer Shriners with the time to attend these events. The military was in attendance, although the air force seemed absent; maybe there was a flyover that I missed.

Armoured vehicles were prominent, but given the changing nature of warfare, maybe a squadron of fighting drones would have been more impressive. Navy sailors proved one thing – they need a lot more marching practice. They could take lessons from the noble folks in the Salvation Army Band.

I wonder if the Stampede Parade needs to reinvent itself a bit. Maybe it should emphasize its Western heritage more. For instance, its counterpart, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, does not allow motorized transportation or floats – everything and everyone not walking must be riding or pulled by horses.

The Rose Parade in LA – all floats must be completely covered in roses and other real vegetation. How about featuring in the Parade one of Stampede’s greatest assets – get all the chuckwagons to be part of the Parade. Add in some of the six-team heavy horse wagon outfits – they would add a spectacular image to the Parade.

I know safety is used as an excuse, but there has to be some way that can be addressed. In the past, I recall a tame trained buffalo either walked or rode in his own car in the Parade. Heck, there was a time a shepherd and his dog actually herded a flock of sheep along the parade route.

Better yet, we need more prominent and increased participation by the Indigenous nations in the Parade. Old photos show what appears to be hundreds of those good folks in the Parade in full regalia, mostly on horseback. It was and should be the most spectacular part of the Parade.

We live in the territory of the most fearsome warrior nation in North America, the Blackfoot Confederacy. The Parade should be a way to showcase their historic prominence. Just a few ideas.

Will Verboven is an ag opinion writer and policy advisor.