The 10-day Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth will officially kick off Friday morning with the Calgary Stampede Parade in downtown.

The procession, led by country superstar Shania Twain, officially begins at 9 a.m. on 3 Street SE and will finish outside Stampede Park.

Parade attendees can get into the park for free until 1:30 p.m.

Due to the size and magnitude of the parade, several road and parking lot closures will be in place.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Friday morning’s events.

Restrictions for parade staging

Parade participants will stage in the East Village area starting on Thursday.

As a result, East Village will be a no-parking zone from 12 p.m. on Thursday, unless you are associated with the parade.

There will be no access into East Village starting Friday at 6 a.m. until the parade ends and the roads are opened.

Road closures

Friday July 4, beginning at 6 a.m.
(roads closed for parade set-up)

• 6 Street SE between 7 Avenue SE. and 9 Avenue SE
• 5 Street SE between 7 Avenue SE and 9 Avenue SE
• 6 Avenue SE between 3 Street SE and 5 Street SE
• 7 Avenue SE between 4 Street SE and 6 Street SE
• 8 Avenue SE between 4 Street SE and 6 Street SE

Friday July 4, beginning at 7:30 a.m.

• 9 Avenue SE between 8 Street SE and 3 Street SE
• 4 Street SE between 6 Avenue SE and 9 Avenue SE
• 3 Street SE between 4 Avenue SE and 9 Avenue SE
• Westbound 6 Avenue from 3 Street SE to 11 Street SW
• 10 Street SW from 6 Avenue SW to 9 Avenue SW
• Eastbound 9 Avenue from 11 Street SW to 3 Street SE
• The morning connector from Bow Trail to westbound 5 Avenue SW will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. only.

Temporary parking restrictions

The Parade Day parking restrictions will begin from 12 p.m. on Thursday, July 3, until 2 p.m. on Friday, July 4. The city says these streets will be clearly marked as no-parking zones and enforcement will be strict in these areas while the parking restrictions are in effect.

Drivers are advised to follow the parking signs to avoid getting a parking ticket or getting their vehicle towed. All parking restrictions will be lifted as soon as possible, once the parade is over, around 1 p.m.

Parking lot closures

On Parade Day, the following parking lots will be closed:

Thursday, July 3, from 8 a.m. until Friday, July 4, at 2 p.m.

• Lot 55, East Village (full lot) – (724 – 4 Street SE)

Friday, July 4 from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Lot 74 (6 a.m. closure) – East Village (656 Confluence Way SE)
• Lot 77 (6 a.m. closure) – East Village (415 – 7 Avenue SE)
• Lot 78 (6 a.m. closure) – East Village (424 – 8 Avenue SE)
• Lot 79 (6 a.m. closure) – East Village (427 – 8 Avenue SE)
• Riverwalk Parkade (6 a.m. closure) – (620 – 6 Avenue SE)

Friday, July 4 from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Lot 7 (208 – 9 Avenue S.W.)
• Arts Commons Parkade | Lot 24 (829 Macleod Trail SE)
• City Centre Parkade | Lot 25 (9 Ave access closed, only) – (221 9 Avenue SW)
• City Hall Parkade | Lot 36 (322 – 9 Avenue SE)
• Centennial Parkade | Lot 54 (608 – 9 Avenue SW)
• Convention Centre Parkade | Lot 60 (727 – 1 Street SE)
• Platform Parkade | Lot 62 (399 – 9 Avenue SE)
• Lot 83 (940 – 8 Avenue SW)
• Lot 87 (304 & 310 6 Avenue SW)
• The Confluence Historic Site & Parkland (750 – 9 Avenue SE)

On-street ParkPlus zones along the parade route will not be accessible during the parade but will be in effect once roads re-open, according to the city.

Alternate routes into downtown

• Eastbound traffic on 9 Avenue will be directed to 11 Street SW
• Motorists are advised to use 5 Avenue or 12 Avenue to bypass the closures.
• Motorists are encouraged to use Blackfoot Trail, Stoney Trail, Crowchild Trail, 16 Avenue, and Deerfoot Trail as alternate routes into downtown.

660 NewsRadio and CityNews Calgary will have the very latest on everything to do with the Stampede parade, including road closures. Watch on CityNews 24/7 or listen online here.