Thousands came out to enjoy the annual Calgary Stampede, including Vanessa Jenkins, six, right, and Sophie Hunchak, also six. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
CALGARY - About 300,000 people lined the streets of downtown Calgary for the kickoff to the 10-day cowboy festival known as the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
The Calgary Stampede generally attracts about 1.2 million visitors and the parade is a favourite for fans who camp out or arrive early to get prime seats.
Most Calgarians get the morning off and exchange business attire for cowboy hats, boots and jeans.
Patsy Rodgers, the first Stampede Queen from 1946, served as this year's parade marshal.
Previous marshals include Walt Disney, prime ministers Lester B. Pearson and Pierre Trudeau, and actors Jack Palance, Leslie Neilsen and Christopher Reeve.
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Article online since July 4th 2008, 0:00
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