SALTA Gymnastics members put a strap bar on the parade float on Tuesday. (Photo Courtesy Chris Brown)

By Chris Brown

Parade starts at 9 a.m.

Parade revs the excitement of Stampede week even higher

Jul 27, 2022 | 12:27 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – SALTA Gymnastics Club is going big and raising the bar for the return of the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede Parade.

“The biggest float we’ve ever had this time,” says Sara Orr, SALTA’s parade organizer. “We are going to have a strap bar on it and hopefully someone can swing on the bar as we’re going through the parade. A lot of the rec kids will just kind of sit on the float and we’ll have a beam on there and then some girls on the ground to do some demonstrations.”

She says the club was in the parade all the time and the kids really missed it the past couple of years when it didn’t take place.

Some of them have never been in the parade and had the chance to perform for the crowds that line the downtown streets.

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SALTA will have around 50 kids total in the parade.

“They’re all pretty excited to finally get out there to show their stuff and to advertise for the gym and to have some fun,” says Orr.

Firehall Theatre will take an under the sea float down the dryland streets of Medicine Hat. The float is inspired by the group’s fall show The Little Mermaid.

“You’re going to see fish and starfish and clams and you’ll get a glimpse of Ariel and some of the other undersea creatures,” explains director Deborah Deans.

She expects a lot of excitement on and off the float as they make their way along the route, especially for the younger set, considering the theme of the float.

“I think the highlight is going to be seeing the reaction of the children,” she says.

Image From Facebook/Brent Secondiak

“It’s time to put some smiles on people’s faces.” – _{Jim Balmer}

Stampede Parade committee chair Jim Balmer says they’ve been working on the parade since February and there are well over 100 floats registered.

He says emotions are pretty hyped up around the Stampede grounds and in the community.

“It’s time to put some smiles on people’s faces,” he says. “People come to the parade they want to have a good time they want to have some smiles, some laughter, see some horses some clowns, all the decorated floats.”

Even though the parade isn’t until Thursday, Blamer says it’s kind of an official kickoff to Stampede Week.

“They’re all revved up after that and it’s just like then its rodeo time, time to come out to the grounds, come out to the exhibition and see everything we have to offer.”

The parade starts at 9 a.m. and Balmer says to get there early before the roads are closed to get a good seat.