Friday is the official kickoff to the Calgary Stampede, starting with the annual parade through downtown Calgary.

More than 300,000 people are expected to line the parade route Friday morning, and in order to accommodate that, there are multiple road and parking lot closures.

Friday July 5, beginning at 6 a.m.
(roads closed for parade set-up)

• 6 Street S.E. between 7 Avenue S.E. and 9 Avenue S.E.
• 5 Street S.E. between 7 Avenue S.E. and 9 Avenue S.E.
• 6 Avenue S.E. between 3 Street S.E. and 5 Street S.E.
• 7 Avenue S.E. between 4 Street S.E. and 6 Street S.E.
• 8 Avenue S.E. between 4 Street S.E. and 6 Street S.E.

Friday July 5, beginning at 7:30 a.m.

• 9 Avenue S.E. between 8 Street S.E. and 3 Street S.E.
• 4 Street S.E. between 6 Avenue S.E. and 9 Avenue S.E.
• 3 Street S.E. between 4 Avenue S.E. and 9 Avenue S.E.
• Westbound 6 Avenue from 3 Street S.E. to 11 Street S.W.
• 10 Street S.W. from 6 Avenue S.W. to 9 Avenue S.W.
• Eastbound 9 Avenue from 11 Street S.W. to 3 Street S.E.
• The morning connector from Bow Trail to westbound 5 Avenue S.W. will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. only.

Here are the parking lot closures:

Friday, July 5 from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Lot 74 (6 a.m. closure) – East Village (656 Confluence Way S.E.)
• Lot 77 (6 a.m. closure) – East Village (415 – 7 Ave S.E.)
• Lot 78 (6 a.m. closure) – East Village (424 – 8 Ave S.E.)
• Lot 79 (6 a.m. closure) – East Village (427 – 8 Ave S.E.)
• Riverwalk Parkade (6 a.m. closure) – (620 – 6 Ave S.E.)

Friday, July 5 from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Lot 7 (208 – 9 Avenue S.W.)
• Arts Commons Parkade | Lot 24 (829 Macleod Trail S.E.)
• City Centre Parkade | Lot 25 (9 Ave access closed, only) – (221 9 Avenue S.W.)
• City Hall Parkade | Lot 36 (322 – 9 Avenue S.E.)
• Centennial Parkade | Lot 54 (608 – 9 Avenue S.W.)
• East Village | Lot 55 (north half) – (724 – 4 Street S.E.)
• Convention Centre Parkade | Lot 60 (727 – 1 Street S.E.)
• Lot 61 (701 – 11 Street S.W.)
• Platform Parkade | Lot 62 (399 – 9 Avenue S.E.)
• Lot 64 (825 – 11 Street S.W.)
• Lot 74 – East Village (656 Confluence Way S.E.)
• Lot 77 – East Village (415 – 7 Avenue S.E.)
• Lot 78 – East Village (424 – 8 Avenue S.E.)
• Lot 79 – East Village (427 – 8 Avenue S.E.)
• Lot 83 (940 – 8 Avenue S.W.)
• Riverwalk Parkade (620 – 6 Avenue S.E.)
• The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland (750 – 9 Avenue S.E.)

Roads are expected to be open again by 2 p.m. Residents and workers in the area should be able to exit their respective parking lots after this time as well, according to the City of Calgary.

Calgarians are encouraged to take transit to get down to the area Friday morning, though, anyone trying to access the downtown via transit will have to be prepared for detours. There’s more information on route changes at the Calgary Transit website.

The good news is, that there’s 24-hour CTrain service around Calgary, and it ends on Monday, July 15.

Several City of Calgary construction projects in the area will be stopped during the Calgary Stampede to allow for major routes to accommodate all the traffic in the area.

• 4 Avenue Flyover: both lanes will reopen.
• Crowchild Trail N.W.: all lanes will reopen.
• Mission Bridge: two-way traffic will continue with one lane in each direction, and pedestrian and walking & wheeling access will remain open.
• 17 Avenue S.E.: all lanes will be reopened between Deerfoot Trail and 19 St. S.E.
• Bridgeland Main Streets: Reduced lanes will remain open along 1 Avenue N.E.
• 10 street will be fully open while utilities projects pause.

AHS wants people to be safe during Calgary Stampede

Alberta Health Services wants all attendees of the Calgary Stampede to have a fun and safe time, and for many that includes consuming alcohol responsibly.

They’re suggesting one non-alcoholic drink for each alcoholic one, eat before and while you’re drinking. Choose low-alcohol beverages, they said.

The weather is supposed to turn hot next week, so they also suggest the following, to stay safe with the weather.

·         Take breaks in a shady place to cool off.

·         Drink lots of water and other non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated beverages to stay hydrated throughout the day.

·         Take frequent breaks from strenuous activities.

• Stay in shady areas when possible, especially when the UV index is high.
• Wear UV protective clothing and sunglasses, such as a wide-brimmed hat and long-sleeved shirts and pants.
• Use sunscreen that helps block out UVA and UVB rays. 
• Choose a water-resistant sunscreen that has a broad-spectrum sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. 
• Apply sunscreen 20 minutes before going outside and reapply after swimming, strenuous exercise or toweling off.