The Calgary Stampede parade is a time-honoured tradition that sees hundreds of thousands of people descend upon the typically deserted streets of downtown Calgary. 

While you’d probably think that I would find the Calgary Stampede parade annoying, it’s quite the opposite.

I love the parade! I’m actually a big fan of all parades in general. 

That’s why I drive northbound Deerfoot in afternoon rush hour, If you turn your music up really loud and start waving, you can pretend you’re in your own special parade – the traffic goes at about the same speed.

Plus, ever since our Santa Claus parade was put on unofficial hiatus, the Stampede parade is pretty much all we’ve got.

The parade is a great opportunity to get yourself prepared for the actual Stampede. Looking around at the crowds, you’ll probably see the variety of people you’ll be dealing with over the next 10 days. 

Chances are you can see the parents who think the parade is specifically for their kids and their kids only. There are the tourists who bought every tacky piece of Canadiana at that random tourist shop on Stephen Avenue.

And then there are the Calgarians whose homes become like a crowded motel every July, packed with friends, cousins and long-lost family members who just happen to visit you during the Stampede … but only if you live close enough to the grounds. 

This is perhaps the most difficult group to spot, but look for the excessive nodding and picture taking – caused by the effort to pretend they haven’t already seen the parade 12 times.

Of course, this year’s Stampede is a little different, thanks to a certain duo who’ll be gracing us with their presence. No, not Nenshi and his extremely affectionate sister, but the royal couple.

(Wills and Kate, if you’re reading this, you should add me to Twitter: @mikesbloggity.)

Since their visit isn’t packed with the most exciting itinerary, the parade will definitely be a highlight for them.

Maybe the multi-generational group of Stampede Princesses can teach Kate a thing or two about waving, while I talk to the future king about going bald gracefully.

While a few hours of being slightly splashed by horse urine may be not appeal to everyone, I am not one of those people.

The Stampede parade really is for every Calgarian, but just maybe not for the same reasons.

Mike Morrison is the perfectly bald head behind Mike’s Bloggity Blog. He also tweets regularly from @mikesbloggity.