Image via steve estvanik/Shutterstock
The Calgary Stampede and its dazzling parade are no strangers to celebrities, with everyone from Queen Elizabeth II to Tate McRae gracing the grounds over the years.
This year should be no different, especially with an impressive lineup of concerts already announced.
The Stampede parade marshal for 2025 is Canadian country icon Shania Twain, who is also set to put on a show at the Saddledome during Stampede, too.
Twain is the top-selling female country pop artist of all time. With six albums released and over 100 million sold worldwide, she was the first artist in history to release three consecutive diamond-certified albums, earning numerous accolades.
Before we take a stroll down memory lane, you can catch a glimpse of Twain when the Calgary Stampede Parade begins at 9 a.m. on Friday, July 4, with the prelude beginning at 7:30 a.m.
Now, back to the Calgary Stampede parade marshal lore! From British royalty to Hollywood celebs, here are 10 of the most famous visitors who have led the annual parade since it started in 1912.
Prince Charles headed the Stampede Parade just a few years before tying the knot in one of the most iconic marriages of all time. While he didn’t have Princess Diana by his side yet, he still made a splash at the 1977 Calgary Stampede.
Just one year before his death, Walt Disney visited the Calgary Stampede as the parade marshal. You might not know that the former Disney CEO had another tie to Alberta — he created a cartoon character for the province. Bertie Beaver was used as a forest fire prevention character symbol for the Alberta Forest Service.
Mickey and Minnie Mouse were popular characters at the Stampede, having led the parade three times!
It only makes sense that one of the most famous Superman actors would head a Stampede Parade, considering much of Superman III was filmed around the province.
Canadian actor William Shatner may not have been born in Alberta, but the nearby town of Vulcan has ties to the Star Trek series, which has made the famous actor into an honourary “local” celebrity.
Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield is an international celebrity, especially after rising to popular fame through the videos he shot aboard the International Space Station and posted to YouTube. He’s led the parade two times (so far)!
Just two years ago, the Stampede welcomed another famous Canadian astronaut, Jeremy Hansen. He is one of four astronauts chosen by NASA to take part in the Artemis II mission to the moon, set to launch in April 2026. The last crewed mission to the moon was Apollo 17, which was more than 50 years ago.
Calgary welcomed a legendary comedian in 1963 when Bob Hope was the Stampede parade marshal. It was a comical event that year, with the Three Stooges also taking part in the parade lineup.
Known for his Western films, it only makes sense that Kevin Costner would lead a parade for an event that’s home to the World’s Largest Outdoor Rodeo.
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