I was part of a small group of Canadian Red Cross staff and volunteers who proudly took part in the Calgary Stampede parade last Friday. We were included as a special tribute entry along with numerous first responders and agencies involved in flood relief. We walked alongside members of STARS, CEMA, Calgary Fire Department, Calgary 911 Communications Team, Calgary EMS, Search and Rescue and the Girl Guides.
It was an absolute honour, especially as we represented a much larger group of Red Cross workers who were busy helping out in flood-affected communities across southern Alberta, conducting assessments, managing shelters and providing assistance to people.
Throughout the parade route, we were greeted warmly by people who expressed their appreciation with cheers, applause, thank yous, sometimes tears, and of course, the Stampede's famous 'Yahoo.'
It was an emotional moment for Calgarians and responders alike. The city is only beginning to recover from the flooding. It's hard to describe how important the Stampede is to Calgary. The entire city is transformed by it. Despite the flooding, tens of thousands of people lined the streets early to watch the parade. It's clear the spirit of the city hasn't been dampened by the flooding.
Photo credit: Matt O'Connor