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A shorter route made for deeper crowds and fine parade on Thursday morning, according to Medicine Hat Stampede parade director Byron Cavan, who also happens to be the board president of the whole show now blanketing the city.
This year the parade took an abridged route to avoid construction on Third Street. This year, floats had to make a tighter turn from Second Street onto Fourth Avenue, but only a couple longer vehicles had brief trouble negotiating it.
“Things went really well,” he told the News. “We had a new route, but we thought it worked out really well.”
Cavan rode in the honorary marshal’s carriage for the 90-minute trip through town. Premier Danielle Smith returned to Edmonton on Thursday due to the emergency situation in Jasper.
Cavan later told the News that opening day at the grounds on Wednesday showed a good crowd and went well aside from on-site medical crews attending to several people suffering minor heat issues.
The rodeo opened Thursday afternoon ahead of a grandstand show from the James Barker Band and the first scheduled night of fireworks.
Cooler temperatures are expected on Friday and Saturday, which should add to the experience, said Cavan.
“We could use a bit of a cool down, but this is summer in Medicine Hat,” he said.
On the parade route, Hatters weren’t deterred by heat in the high 20C range by the conclusion at about 10:30 a.m.
New or notable entries this year included the wagon and mascot, Howdy, from the Calgary Stampede as well as a drummer going full-bore while riding an oil barrel fixed with springs to mimic a mechanical bull.
Musical interludes were provided by the Medicine Hat Concert Band and the perennial parade entry, the WaWa steel drum Shrine Band from Indian Head, Sask.
Mounted flag bearers, bagpipers, Shriners, business vehicles, a caravan of classic autos, gymnasts turning hand flips, sporting groups and dignitaries went along to cheers from Hatters standing four to five deep in spots.
This year also marked a departure from recent practice of three local municipal leaders riding together in one vehicle.
Mayor Linnsie Clark led in a late model Corvette, ahead of Cypress County Reeve Dan Hamilton and Redcliff Mayor Dwight Kilpatrick, each in classic convertibles.
Today in Pancakes
Friday’s large pancake breakfast in the city will be provided by South country Co-op at the 13th Avenue food store. Planned for Saturday are breakfast offerings at Medicine Hat Brewing Co., the Utility Ratepayers Association (at the Thai Orchid Room) and the Strachan Road A&W, put on by the Community View Lions.
