All along Stephen Avenue and 8 Avenue SE, tens of thousands of Calgarians lined up to take in the first full Calgary Expo Parade of Wonders since 2019.
The spectacle this year included some of the best costumes yet by fans, along with appearances from actors known for Kim’s Convenience, The Kids in the Hall, Arrow, Star Trek: Picard, What We Do in the Shadows, and the Incredible Hulk.
Mayor Jyoti Gondek once again led the parade, dressed as Edward Scissorhands.
“It is fabulous to be out here without any snow number one, and with all of these amazing human beings who are just taking part in something. That’s a beautiful experience,” said Mayor Gondek.
“I’m so proud of all of the organizers of Calgary Comic Expo. I’m so proud of the Calgarians that have come out here. This is the spirit of Calgary.”
Calgary’s own Kim’s Convenience star Andrew Phung served as the master of ceremony for the opening event at Olympic Plaza.
He played off his own awkward moment earlier in the day when he asked Mayor Gondek for a selfie as Edward Scissorhands, without realizing who she was leading the parade.
“Let’s give it up here to possibly the geekiest mayor in Canada, I did not even recognize her when I met her earlier, Mayor Gondek.”
Mayor Jyoti Gondek leads the Calgary Expo Parade of Wonders in Calgary on Friday, April 28, 2023. ARYN TOOMBS / FOR LIVEWIRE CALGARY
A city that embraces fans
Ferrigno was very complimentary to the city, and even though he was re-White Hatted during the morning’s ceremonies, wore the previous White Hat he given was throughout the parade.
“Over 40 years ago I did stage play here. I did Stage West Theatre. Little did I realize that 40-some years later, we would have this wonderful occasion,” Ferrigno said.
“I have to say you people make the Calgary Comic Con: you people are the best, you people put us on the map. Thank you all so much for coming.”
Ferrigno has been a regular attendee at the Calgary Expo for more than a half-decade and is one of the celebrities who will be signing autographs and taking pictures with fans throughout the entire weekend.
On her costume this year, the Mayor said that she chose Edward Scissorhands because of the quiet and contemplative portrayal by actor Johnny Depp in the Tim Burton classic.
She said that she was looking forward to many things at the Expo, but most of all how it would be embraced by Calgarians and vice-versa.
“There’s so many people here that I’m excited to see,” she said.
“I would say though, just all of the folks who sometimes feel like they don’t fit in… you all fit in, this city loves you and embraces you. That’s the thing that makes me most happy.”
