Country music icon Shania Twain didn’t just lead the parade at this year’s Calgary Stampede — she made a lasting impression across the grounds, including a meaningful visit to Elbow River Camp. Read More
’As a literal Canadian music icon, you could tell how much she meant to so many folks’
‘As a literal Canadian music icon, you could tell how much she meant to so many folks’
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Country music icon Shania Twain didn’t just lead the parade at this year’s Calgary Stampede — she made a lasting impression across the grounds, including a meaningful visit to Elbow River Camp.
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Twain was a natural choice to lead the parade, according to Stuart O’Connor, Stampede president and board chair.
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“She truly embodied the grit, determination and passion that’s really so fundamental to the spirit of the Stampede,” O’Connor said.
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Twain rode on horseback at the front of the parade, with O’Connor and others following closely behind.
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“She was very gracious, and I would say very authentic,” O’Connor said. “She loves the western heritage, thoroughly loves her horses, and it showed throughout the day with her.”
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The crowd lining the route, which comprised nearly 340,000 people, was ecstatic to see her, O’Connor said.
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“As a literal Canadian music icon, you could tell how much she meant to so many folks,” he said.
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One of Twain’s first stops after the parade was a peaceful visit to Elbow River Camp, which O’Connor said she specifically requested.
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Organizers were surprised and honoured by her interest, and were happy to tour her around the camp. What was initially supposed to be a 15-minute tour stretched to nearly 45 minutes, when Twain arrived almost an hour early.
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“To know that she came here and wanted to know more, it was just an honour to talk with her and kind of share my story of growing up in my Blackfoot culture,” said Elbow River Camp co-ordinator Vanessa Stiffarm.
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Twain strolled around the camp, meeting tipi-holders and learning more about the history of the Treaty 7 nations.
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“She was just so friendly and really willing to learn,” said Stiffarm.
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Elbow River Camp features a variety of cultural programming and demonstrations, including the return of the tipi competition for the first time since 2018.
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“Even though we’re in Stampede Park, it kind of feels like you’re off on your own. It’s a place where you can just lie, relax in the grass or find a shady place to come watch any of our programs,” Stiffarm said. “It’s just a little bit of history that you won’t find anywhere else.”
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Twain’s parade appearance also featured a custom piece of Stampede gear — the official parade marshal hat, made locally by Smithbilt Hats.
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Located in Inglewood and operating since 1919, each year Smithbilt crafts a hat made from 100 per cent beaver felt for the parade marshal.
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“It’s basically no different than any of the hats we make for people walking through our door,” said Holly Allen, general manager at Smithbilt Hats.
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But this year, there were a few extra considerations. Twain’s stylist requested black and red in the design, so a custom hat band was created for the occasion.