Talk about a perfect match — the Calgary Stampede just roped in country music’s ultimate queen bee for their 2025 parade marshal. Shania Twain, the leopard-print-loving legend who taught us all that “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” isn’t just a song but a way of life, is saddling up to lead next year’s festivities.
The timing couldn’t be sweeter. As Calgary marks the 100-day countdown to its annual western spectacular, Twain’s appointment feels like a hat-tip to both Canadian heritage and pop culture royalty. After wrapping up her glitzy Las Vegas residency just weeks ago, the 59-year-old superstar seems ready to trade the desert glamour for some genuine prairie spirit.
“The Calgary Stampede is an amazing celebration of western heritage and culture,” Twain shared in her video announcement, somehow managing to make even a digital appearance feel warm and personal. But let’s be real — this isn’t just any parade marshal announcement. We’re talking about the best-selling female country-pop artist of all time, with a casual 100 million albums sold worldwide. Not too shabby for a girl from Windsor, eh?
The Stampede’s got quite the track record when it comes to picking parade marshals. From space cowboys like Chris Hadfield to actual Hollywood cowboys like Kevin Costner, they’ve managed to snag some serious star power over the years. Even Mickey Mouse has taken a turn leading the charge — though presumably without his signature white gloves (those things would get mighty dusty on the parade route).
Stuart O’Connor, who heads up the Calgary Stampede board, couldn’t contain his excitement about landing Twain for the 2025 edition. And who can blame him? The woman who turned leopard print into country fashion canon will not only marshal the parade but also bring her powerhouse performance to the Scotiabank Saddledome on July 5. It’ll mark her first Stampede appearance since 2014, and something says the wait will be worth it.
For early birds hoping to catch the queen of country-pop in action, the parade kicks off at 9 a.m. on Friday, July 4, with a prelude starting at 7:30 a.m. In a particularly nice touch, the Stampede grounds will throw open their gates free of charge from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on parade day — because nothing says “western hospitality” quite like that.
There’s something particularly fitting about Twain leading the charge at the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth. Her journey from singing in Timmins bars to becoming a global phenomenon mirrors the pioneering spirit that the Stampede celebrates. Since blasting onto the scene with “The Woman in Me” back in the ’90s, she’s been pushing boundaries in music and fashion with the same determination as those first Calgary settlers.
The 2025 Calgary Stampede, running July 4-13, is shaping up to be quite the shindig. And with Shania Twain leading the parade? Well, that don’t impress you much? Maybe it should.
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