CALGARY — Country music superstar Shania Twain, in a white hat and white fringed jacket, sat on top of a white horse that clip clopped to cheers through the downtown Friday as she kicked off the Calgary Stampede and its signature parade.
"It's exhilarating. I just have to stay calm for my horse. I don't want him to read my energy. I'm sure I'll just have a smile stuck to my face the whole time," Twain told reporters after she was given her official marshal badge to lead the parade.
"I don't feel like a performer in this sense at all. I feel like I'm representing something very important," she added.
"This is more of a personal exchange with Calgary, with the Stampede, and I'll feel like this is my grand welcome."
Under sunny skies, about 300,000 spectators jammed sidewalks to watch marching bands, antique tractors and dancers in the parade on the first day of the 10-day rodeo and exhibition, dubbed The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
Twain, who was raised in Timmins, Ont., last took the stage at the Stampede in 2014. She was also set to perform Saturday.
The 59-year-old “Man! I Feel Like a Woman” singer is country music’s top-selling female artist, according to Billboard. She is also a judge on Citytv’s “Canada’s Got Talent.”
The Stampede is a time of parties, pancakes — and lots of politicians.
Politicians from all levels of government grab their hats and boots to make deals and meet with constituents throughout the Stampede.
Prime Minister Mark Carney was scheduled to meet with vendors and tour stalls and exhibits Friday night. Federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre was also set to attend a barbecue Saturday.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek began flipping pancakes Thursday.
Rows and rows of midway rides and concession stands have also been set up.
Gregg Korek with North American Midway Entertainment, who is making his 49th appearance at the Stampede, joined the carnival company as a teen.
"I always say I like all of our fairs exactly the same, but I like this one a little bit better because I'm a Calgarian," he said.
Joel Cowley, the Stampede's chief executive, said the event attracted almost 1.5 million visitors last year. Of that number, he said about 73 per cent were from the Calgary area. Nine per cent were from Alberta and 10 per cent were other Canadians.
The rest came from the United States or other countries.
With Canadians unhappy about U.S. tariffs, Cowley said domestic visitors could be higher this year.
"It is an international event, and I would think this year we would see a lot of Canadians looking for a Canadian vacation to come here."
The first Stampede was in 1912, and Cowley said the event has stayed true to its agricultural roots.
"It's really something that needs to be experienced. At the heart of what we do is agriculture and Western heritage."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 4, 2025.
Bill Graveland, The Canadian Press
