Calgary Stampede Parade: Check out these highlights or watch a replay of the whole thing

The Calgary Stampede officially got under way Friday as about 150,000 spectators linedtheroute for the 2018 edition of the annual parade.

The parade's 116 entries were led by the Calgary Stampede Showbandas it travelledthe4.5-kilometre route through downtown.

CBCCalgary'sDoug Dirks and Angela Knight hostedthe show. Heartland's GrahamWardle, who plays Ty Borden,reported on the 106thStampede Parade from the sidelines.

If you didn't make it to the parade in person, don't worry.

• You can watch a replayofCBC'slive coveragein the video box at the top of this story, or see a recap on our CBC CalgaryFacebookfeed.
• The parade will also be broadcast again on Saturday at 10 a.m. onCBCTV.

Two-time Olympic bronze medal winningsnowboarderMarkMcMorriswas themarshal of this year's parade, whichincluded 750 horses, 32 floats, 12 marching bands and about4,000 people marching, riding or otherwise taking part.

"It's pretty messed up that I got to this position by riding a piece of wood down a mountain," McMorris said Friday before the parade.

"I'm glad I can inspire the youth. It's good. There's a youthful presence here at the Stampede."

McMorris, who was riding a horse called Texas, was expecting to be a bit sore by the end of the parade.

"I'm excited to see if I'm bowlegged."

Some parade veterans camped out at 5:30 a.m. or even earlier to get a goodspot. Lisa Jonas and her three-year-old daughter Brianna got prime seats on the edge of the NinthAvenue sidewalk.

"I have been here since 6 a.m. this morning,"she said. "This is her first Stampede and I wanted to make sure we got really good seats, and I know how busy Calgary can be, being here my entire life."

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.

Get the latest photos, video and developments in tweets fromCBCstaff on the ground in our blog below.

Road closures in core

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 were expected to reopen by 2 p.m.

• From Hurtin' Albertan to A Trail of Broken Hearts: You need these tunes on your Calgary Stampede playlist

Admission tothe groundswas free from11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

This year, visitors can tryout the new zipline, there's awhole menu of quirky foods and skill (or luck)testing carnival gameson the midway and, of course, there's the world-famous Calgary Stampede Rodeo and theChuckwagon 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.

If you're heading down, wear waterproof sunscreen of 30 SPF or higher, reapplying frequently, and 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.

The warm, sunny weather is expected to continue for much of Stampede week. 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 bebroadcastingthroughout the Stampede,as well as providingextensive 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 can be hard to find, 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.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the iconic Calgary Stampede TransAlta Grandstand Show, which follows the nightly GMC Rangeland Derby ChuckwagonRaces.

The Stampede runs from July 6 to July 15.

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

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With files from the Calgary Eyeopener.