Strathmore Stampede Parade is returning to kick off the weekend!

The annual Strathmore Stampede Parade is returning this Saturday at 9 am, and over 60 floats will be there!

This year's parade is being organized by the Strathmore Wheatland Chamber of Commerce (SWCC), and the Past Chair of SWCC Hayley Poirier says they're looking forward to putting on a great show.

"We're really excited to be able to take this role on from the Town of Strathmore and run with it. We want to make sure that we continue to be a leader in our community, our business community, as well as our events community. So when this was presented to us we felt it was a natural fit for us," she said.

Poirier explained we'll be getting a big and diverse crowd for this parade.

"There will be our usual participants in the parade that we normally see, that's our dignitaries, as well as some of our royalty from the different communities and the princesses. So we're looking forward to seeing all of our dignitaries. And then we have a lot of different families and businesses and organizations who have signed up to also be a part of the parade. It is something that we look forward to annually, and this year will be no different."

Some of the people you can expect to see are Miss Strathmore Stampede Martina Holtkamp, as well as Rodeo Queens from surrounding areas like Rimbey, Sundre, Teepee Creek and more!. Chestermere-Strathmore MLA Leela Sharon Aheer, Bow River MP Martin Shields, Mayor Pat Fule and Town Council will all be there, and Wheatland County Council has also been invited.

The Stampede Parade has always been a wonderful community event for everyone to get involved, and Poirier said that's what she's most excited about.

"It's very much a rural feeling of belonging, so people are cheering along, there's music going, there's a lot of laughter. We love participation from our people that are in the parade as well as the people that are watching, so you really get this sense of belonging. The thing that we're (SWCC) looking forward to the most is having another opportunity for our communities to be able to get out and celebrate and be together. the Strathmore stampede really stands for community involvement."

She added candy and other small items will be handed out at the parade.

Check out this year's schedule of Strathmore Stampede at the Strathmore Stampede Info Stop!