Happy Stampede!

Yahoo!

It's the end of the first day of Stampede and it's been a busy one for Mayor Nenshi. From riding a horse (named Garfield) in the parade to opening the Indian Village, he's right into the Calgary Stampede spirit.

Mayor Nenshi (dark jacket on the right), elders and other VIPs at Indian Village opening

Oh, and he had to see a few friends off to the airport. Mayor Nenshi joined a few thousand proud Calgarians as we bid our official farewell to Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Mayor Nenshi and the Stampede royalty
(left to right Ava Meguinis, Stpehanie Gray, Mayor Nenshi, Jenna Lambert, Whitney Wilkie)

The next nine days promise to a heck of a great party. We hope you get an opportunity to kick up your heels and enjoy the festivities happening all around Calgary.

Today might have been a busy day, but Mayor Nenshi has a schedule planned that might just wear out one of his pairs of boots. If you see us Stampeding, please say hi!

Preparing to start the parade... atop a horse. He really shouldn't tweet and ride.

- Daorcey from Mayor Nenshi's team (who takes photos with his smartphone... apologies)