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Skies clear, rain stops just in time for start of Calgary Stampede parade
CALGARY — It was a soggy start to this year’s Calgary Stampede, but the sky lightened and the drizzle let up just in time for the parade that kicked off the annual 10-day celebration of western life.
Umbrellas and plastic ponchos covered a sea of cowboy hats and shirts along the route Friday as a night of heavy rain continued into the early morning.
“Folklore tells us that it has never rained on a Stampede parade and look, it stopped!” said Mayor Naheed Nenshi before he removed his rain jacket and got on his horse.
He said the annual festival — which includes rodeo events, pancake breakfasts and rowdy parties — is a nice respite from the economic doldrums weighing on the city.