Country music star Shania Twain rode into downtown Calgary on horseback Friday to marshal the opening-day parade of the 113th Calgary Stampede, leading more than 700 horses, marching bands and dancers before an estimated 300,000 spectators. The white-hat ceremony marks the start of the 10-day rodeo and exhibition widely promoted as the “Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.” Organisers expect roughly 1.3 million visitors this year, after drawing almost 1.5 million in 2024. A study for the non-profit Calgary Stampede organisation estimates the festival’s direct economic contribution at about C$282 million to Alberta and C$700 million country-wide through visitor spending, vendor sales and hospitality activity. This year’s program adds the Ladies Breakaway Roping event—returning women’s timed roping to the Stampede for the first time since 1979—and brings back the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Musical Ride after a six-year hiatus. A new RFID wristband system replaces paper ride coupons, and Calgary Transit is running 24-hour CTrain service to manage crowds. Calgary police have set up a temporary district around the fairgrounds to bolster security. Political leaders are also leveraging the Stampede’s visibility. Prime Minister Mark Carney planned an evening tour of the midway, while Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre greeted supporters during the parade. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek flipped the ceremonial first pancakes on Thursday as parties and fund-raisers got under way.