Calgary, AB – July 4, 2025 — The Calgary Stampede, renowned as The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, opened its 2025 edition with an unforgettable moment: Canadian music icon Shania Twain leading the Stampede Parade as this year’s official Parade Marshal. The announcement, made earlier in June, ignited excitement across the country—but it wasn’t until Twain waved to crowds along downtown Calgary that the magic became real.
More than 300,000 spectators lined the parade route early Friday morning, eager to catch a glimpse of the five-time Grammy Award-winning artist as she rode horseback in true Western fashion. Dressed in a custom-designed fringed outfit—a tribute to Alberta’s rodeo heritage and her own stage persona—Twain looked every bit the queen of country, radiating charm, gratitude, and undeniable star power.
“This city, this event—it feels like home,” Twain said in a brief interview before the parade. “To lead the Stampede Parade is one of the greatest honors of my career. The Western spirit has always inspired me, and it’s deeply humbling to celebrate it with the people who live it every day.”
A Parade for the Ages
The 2025 Stampede Parade featured over 120 floats, marching bands, Indigenous cultural groups, horse-drawn carriages, and classic rodeo ensembles. But it was Twain’s presence that gave the parade a once-in-a-generation aura. Fans held signs reading “Still the One, Shania!” and “From Timmins to Calgary — We Love You,” while spontaneous singalongs to “Up!” and “Life’s About to Get Good” broke out in the crowd.
Stampede officials called it one of the most well-attended and smoothly executed parades in recent memory, citing Twain’s involvement as a major draw for visitors from across North America.
The Saddledome Eruption — July 5 Headline Show
The celebration didn’t stop on the streets. On the evening of July 5, Shania Twain returned to the Scotiabank Saddledome for a headline concert that sold out in less than 48 hours after tickets went on sale. The show, part of the Stampede’s marquee entertainment lineup, was nothing short of electric. From the moment she opened with “Don’t Be Stupid (You Know I Love You)” to her emotional encore of “You’re Still the One”, the Saddledome pulsed with energy, nostalgia, and hometown pride.
Twain’s setlist mixed career-defining classics with fresh material from her recent album, and she was joined on stage for a surprise duet with Alberta-born singer Tenille Townes—sparking thunderous applause and a standing ovation that lasted several minutes.
“Being here, being part of this festival, is more than just a performance—it’s a celebration of roots, resilience, and what it means to be Canadian,” Twain told the crowd.
Legacy in the West
Shania Twain’s selection as Parade Marshal carries symbolic weight. Though born in Timmins, Ontario, Twain has long expressed her admiration for Alberta’s landscape, spirit, and community. Her career has been defined by boundary-pushing creativity, but also by an authentic connection to the people who shaped her journey. It’s this sincerity that made her the perfect choice to kick off a celebration grounded in heritage and hope.
The Calgary Stampede itself continues to evolve as a cultural powerhouse—blending tradition with innovation, and elevating Western values in ways that are inclusive and dynamic. Twain’s involvement underscores this shift, as a globally recognized figure returns home to honor the very land and lifestyle that inspired her.
What’s Next?
With the Parade and concert setting a high bar, the 2025 Stampede is expected to draw record-breaking crowds throughout its 10-day run. Rodeo events, chuckwagon races, First Nations showcases, agricultural exhibits, and culinary experiences are just the beginning of a packed schedule.
Yet for many, this year will be remembered for one reason: Shania Twain came home—and turned Calgary into a stage for joy, unity, and celebration.