The 2016 Stampede Parade Marshals have been announced
Posted Jun 8, 2016 12:47 pm.
Last Updated Jun 8, 2016 2:53 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The 2016 Calgary Stampede Parade Marshals already have a nickname: PB and J.
Alberta singers Jann Arden and Paul Brandt will lead the parade this year, following an announcement at Olympic Plaza on Wednesday.
The pair arrived on a 1966 Pontiac Bonneville, the same they will ride during the parade on July 8.
“I was the kid in the straw hat with the whistle early in the morning to get my spot to see the parade and never would’ve dreamed that I’d have the opportunity to be here,” Brandt said.
Arden shared her own memories.
“I just remember being a kid going; ‘now it’s damn summer’,” she said. “My grandparents had us down sitting on the route on 9th Avenue at six o’clock in the morning. We sat there for three hours before, (the parade got underway) all our snacks were eaten, everything was drank, then my mom ran around for two hours looking for a bathroom for us. Just pee in the alley!”
Stampede President Bill Gray said the choice coincided with 2016 as Calgary’s Year of Music and Brandt said he couldn’t be more honoured.
“We love this city, absolutely love it and to be able to be representatives of it at one of its most important times, especially at a time when I think a lot of people are looking at difficult times ahead,” he said. “We want to be there for them, raise them up and encourage them.”
Arden recalled getting the call for the offer.
“Oh I said you’re kidding, I said no, what?” she said. “Then I was just like wow, that’s so crazy cool.”
She also told the crowd what she’s excited about.
“I’m looking forward to eating things,” she said while getting laughs from the crowd. “When I heard that you’re going to be doing it with Paul, I was just excited about a chance to perhaps sleep with Paul.”
“Well you already got me in the back seat of that car,” Brandt joked back.
Learn more about the parade here.
