Watch the 9th annual POW! Parade of Wonders as Calgary Expo weekend begins
CBC
Check back here later this morning to watch a livestream of the parade and the opening ceremonies beginning at 10:30 a.m.
It's the largest pop culture parade in Canada. And it's this morning right here in Calgary.
The ninth annual POW! Parade of Wonders is scheduled to depart from Eight Avenue and Eighth Street S.W. at 10:30 a.m. Friday, marking the start of Calgary Expo weekend.
The annual convention draws tens of thousands of fans each year, celebrating their favourite superhero, fantasy or sci-fi character.
It's the first parade since 2019, after several years of pandemic restrictions and a major snowstorm last year. Several thousand people are expected to parade along Stephen Avenue.
"It's a public celebration of pop culture, creativity and community, which allows all Calgarians and visitors of any age and demographic to register at no cost with the sole condition that they're wearing a costume," said parade producer Allison Moore.
"It's just an incredible thing to experience as a spectator or as a cosplayer."
In 2019, the parade drew nearly 5,000 participants and 15,000 spectators.
With a clear forecast, Alex Kingcott, publicist for the Calgary Expo and the POW! Parade of Wonders, said they're expecting to see similar numbers this year.
"We can safely say that we're the largest pop culture parade in Canada," she said.
"We went from pitching to celebrity guests: 'Hey, I don't suppose you'd want to fly in a night early and sit in a car and maybe drive through a parade?' to people asking to have it put in their schedule. So we're pretty proud of that and how it's grown in popularity, not only in our company and in the city, but in our larger industry as well."
The parade moves in a procession along Stephen Avenue, taking about 30 minutes. It's followed by an opening ceremony at Olympic Plaza. Spectators can watch from anywhere along the route, or they can sit in the bleachers near First Street S.W.
Mayor Jyoti Gondek will lead the march as the parade marshal.
Several celebrities are also expected to take part. Their names aren't released ahead of time, but Kingcott did say Lou Ferrigno — the original Hulk — would be returning this year. Jonathan Frakes and Danny Trejo are also expected to make appearances throughout the weekend.
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