Calgary Stampede parade to kick off with much to offer and a few road closures

The Calgary Stampede fun kicks offofficially on Friday with the parade so enjoy the show,but don't forget there will be a few road closuresin the downtown.

• Read the latest story and seeLIVE coverage here

Spectators can take in agile dogs performing stunts, a heavy horse show and freestyle motocross starting Thursday evening in the Sneak-a-Peek, along with other events and musical acts, such as Alexisonfire and Gord Bamford.

The official Stampede start-up ison Friday with the much-loved parade beginning at 9 a.m., although parade prelude activities begin at 7:30 a.m.

The parade, led by the show band,follows a 4.5-kilometre route through downtown Calgary over a period of two hours.

CBCCalgary'sDoug Dirks and Angela Knight will host the show. Heartland's GrahamWardle, who plays Ty Borden, will report on the parade from the sidelines.

Watch the parade live online

If you can't make it to the parade, don't despair. You can tune into theCBC'slive online starting at 9 a.m. hereor by going to theCBCCalgary home page, theCBCSports Stampede home pageand ourFacebookfeed.

You can also tune into CBCTV starting at 9 a.m. The parade will bebroadcastagain on Saturday at 10 a.m. onCBCTV.

FollowCBCCalgary online via the Calgary Stampede 2018 live blog forall the latest updatesand join the conversation on social media by tweeting @CBCCalgary with the hashtag#GiddyUpYYC.

You can also tweet @cbcsports with thehashtag #Stampede2017.

Road closures in core

If you're driving downtown, you'll want to head out early.

The morning connector from Bow Trail to westbound FifthAvenue S.W. will only be open from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. The following streetswill be closed starting at 7:30 a.m.:

• Ninth Avenue westbound from FirstStreet S.E. to 10thStreet S.W.
• 10th Street S.W. from Ninth Avenue S.W. to Sixth Avenue S.W.
• Eastbound Sixth Avenue from 10th Street S.W. to Third Street S.E.

All the routes are expected to reopen by 2 p.m., according to the city and Stampede websites.

Then you can head on down to Stampede Park, where admission will be free from11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Try out the new zipline, a whole menu of quirky foods and the favourite Chuckwagon Races.

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WatchCBC'sJenny Howe try out the Stampede'szipline:

Watch CBCs Jenny Howe fly over the Calgary Stampede grounds on the biggest multi-point zipline in North America

6 years ago

Duration 0:49

Its 14 storeys and goes from one end of the grounds to the other with speeds up to 50 km/h

"Truly our volunteers and employees have been working around the clock since the last day last year to plan this event, and there's so many new attractions and events and opportunities,"Calgary Stampede presidentDavidSibbaldtold theCalgary Eyeopener.

Prepare for warm weather

The forecast for Friday is for sunshine with a high of 30 C and UV index of 10 or very high, Environment Canada says.

Parade goers are encouraged to wear waterproof sunscreen of 30 SPF or higher, reapplying frequently, and to drink lots of water. Alberta Health Services is recommending peoplewear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and long-sleeved shirts to cover skin, and to bring a backpack with water, extra shoes, healthy snacks and sunscreen.

The health authority says to watch for symptoms of heat exhaustion and sunstroke, such as feeling dizzy, nauseated, disoriented or faint, and having a high body temperature or lack of sweat.

EMS paramedicteams will be available along the parade route.

The warm, sunny weather is expected to continue for much of the outdoor show. Even if it does rain, Sibbald said there are many indoor activities available, which are detailed on a map and schedule online.

• Calgary serves up a Stampede Breakfast for every kind of cowpoke

Also check out thepancake breakfaststhroughout the city and peruse the list of itemsyou should leave at homewhen you go to Stampede Park.

"Bring anything you want but don't bring anything you wouldn't bring to an airport," Sibbald said.

The Stampede has implemented some new security measures, including metal detectors and vehicle barriers.

• What to check out at the Calgary Stampede grounds

CBCwill offer broadcastingthroughout the Stampede,as well as extensive coverage online atcbc.ca/sports/calgarystampede.

Getting there

Calgary Transit has two C-Train stations near the Stampede grounds, and while the LRT is free downtown, the transit authority is also offering discounted passes during the Stampede.

Parking will be limited, so organizers are encouraging people to choose public transit.

A number of parking lots will be closed, as well.

From Thursday at 6 p.m. to Friday at 2 p.m., these lots will be closed:

• Lot 62 at 407NinthAvenue S.E.
• Lot 62Bat 363 10th Avenue S.E.
• Lot 55 at 724 FourthStreet S.E.
• Lot 66 at 830 NinthAvenue S.W.

On Friday from7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., these lots will be closed:

• City Centre Parkade at the 221 NinthAvenue S.W. entrance. Theparkade will be accessible at the 340 10th Avenue S.W. entrance
• Centennial Parkade at 608 Ninth Avenue S.W. and 823 FifthStreet S.W.
• Convention Centre Parkade at 727 FirstStreet S.E.
• Arts Commons Parkade at 829 Macleod Trail S.E.
• Lot 7 at 208 NinthAvenue S.W.
• Lot 91 at 610 ThirdStreet S.E.
• City Hall Parkade at 322 NinthAvenue S.E.

Anyone who wants to attend the Stampede isencouraged to dress the part with blue jeans, belt buckles, boots, hats and neckties, if you're so inclined.

Listen toHeartland actor Graham Wardle on his job in the Stampede:

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With files from the Calgary Eyeopener.