Photos: Calgary Stampede Parade a big hit with Calgarians

Up and down the Calgary Stampede Parade route on Friday, it wasn’t hard to hear the hoots and hollers, Yahoos, and ironic Oohays.

And a few shouts of “marry me Kevin Costner.”

The legendary, Oscar-winning actor served as this year’s parade marshal, along with honorary marshal John Scott.

“I’ve had really good luck up here with two movies and the band playing—we’re going to play tonight—and I was humbled to be invited,” said Costner.

He said that the idea of the West has continued to capture the imagination because of what it represents.

“I mean, no one’s ever going to tire of running horses, and rivers that don’t stop flowing, and mountains that don’t feel the need to move and are snow-capped, and these prairies that go forever,” said Costner.

“There’s something interesting about a man on a horse, and all he needs and the only thing that he needs is what that horse can carry—there’s something unique about that relationship, and to somehow feel that free that you could just ride off into the horizon,” he said.

The Calgary Police Service said that approximately 305,000 people lined the downtown core to watch the parade.

Post-parade, Stephen Avenue was packed with those Calgarians deciding not to take advantage of the free Stampede admission. Bars and restaurants had at times, long lineups to get in.

Numerous VIPs, dignitaries, and politicians from all parties and levels of government took part in the parade.

Mayor Jyoti Gondek rode next to Councillor Dan McLean in the parade. The mayor received one riding lesson last year, and a refresher two weeks before the parade with instructor Max Mackenney.