Participating in the Stampede Parade is a Summer Tradition

Stampede Parade 2015
by Alberta
Categories: Uncategorized
Share:

    On a beautiful, sunny Friday in July, the Glenmore Temple Band marched in its 101st Calgary Stampede Parade!  New Glenmore Temple Corps Officers, Majors Guy and Donna Simms, had arrived in Calgary just days earlier to learn that their first Stampede experience would have them in the parade – not just watching it! “This is so exciting,” mused Major Donna, “We get to see over 200,000 people today in the streets of downtown Calgary.” Both Majors were also taking the ‘welcome to Calgary, we are throwing a parade in your honour’ jokes and teasing in stride.

    The Simms were not the only first-timers in the parade. There were 20 others, including band members, flag bearers and banner bearers, who were participating for the first time. And at the other end of the spectrum was Tom Royan, marching in his 52nd parade!

    For many in the band, the Stampede Parade is a family affair. Band leader Jeff Haskey was joined by his wife and all three of his children and the Dureski, Tronsgard and Royan families were also represented by multiple generations.

    This group of performers is also diverse in age with the eldest in his seventies right on down to the youngest at thirteen years of age. But also evident was what these talented group had in common – the joy of performing, the desire to serve and the smiles on their faces!