William Shatner set to be Stampede parade marshal

The Calgary Stampede’s parade marshal William Shatner has his cowboy hat on and is ready to ride!

kaitlin.lee – Jul 3, 2014 05:01:12 PM

William Shatner will be heading up Friday’s parade as it marches through downtown Calgary and the avid horseman has nothing but praise for the city.

Donning a cowboy hat and some sneakers, Shatner said he’s pleased to be back in Cowtown.

“The Stampede is 102 years old and it was created in celebration of my birth,” he joked. “It’s a great city and I really am looking forward to spending time here. My family and I are going to go on a trail ride in Banff on Saturday, as well as the Stampede,” he said.

Shatner also spoke of his love of horses and riding. He’s won many championship buckles and despite being presented another special belt buckle by the Calgary Stampede, he said he’s planning on wearing suspenders.

“Riding has become a meaningful event for me,” he explained. “My ability to guide a horse in completion has improved dramatically over the years.”

Shatner may not have gone to space for real, but he can hold his own against last year’s parade marshal, Chris Hadfield.

After all, he joked, did astronauts really go to the moon?

“There’s reason to believe it was all a hoax, whereas you know it really was a hoax with me, so you have assurance and certainty with me,” added Shatner.