For a few hours, it’ll be Stampede week with pigskins and parkas.
With its massively popular Stampede counterpart as an obvious template, Grey Cup festival organizers couldn’t resist reviving tomorrow’s parade, which kicks off at 11 a.m. at 6 Ave. and Macleod Tr. S.E.
The event was last officially held in 2005, said festival spokeswoman Siobhan Vinish.
“It’s nice to have it back — it always adds to the festiveness of the event,” she said, adding 100,000 people are expected to line the route.
While the parade will be quarterbacked by currently hot Hollywood property and Calgary native Elisha Cuthbert riding in a convertible, reminders of the year Stampeder faithful made the Grey Cup party what it is will also be front and centre, said Vinish.
“Members of the 1948 drum majorettes will be riding in an antique bus,” she said.
A total of 1,800 participants and 80 entries, including 10 bands, will make their way west down 6 Ave. to 2 St. S.W., then east along 9 Ave. where the parade will end at Olympic Plaza for more festivities.
“All the teams have representatives and all the cheer teams will be there,” said Vinish.
CFL alumni will also be prominent, among them ex-Stampeder Herm Harrison who caught a pivotal touchdown pass in Calgary’s 1971 Grey Cup win.
Retired Canadian Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Rick Hillier will be rolling in a military vehicle.
“The Snowbirds will be doing a fly-past,” said Vinish.
At the parade’s wrap-up, CFL and NHL alumni will face off for a game of ball hockey at Olympic Plaza.
“That’s pretty Canadian,” said Vinish.
Temperatures for the parade should be tolerably around the freezing mark.
bill.kaufmann@sunmedia.ca
