CBC-Sports

Friday July 9, 2010

The parade tradition

Posted by Kristina Rutherford

Some people chain their chairs to posts on the streets to ensure front-row seats at the Calgary Stampede parade. Others show up at the crack of dawn and hope they beat out the other die-hards.

And then there are the overnight campers.  

That's where the Kruse family fits in.

kruse.jpgAbout 40 Kruses spent Thursday night camped out in their cars in a parking lot on the parade route. It's family tradition.

Four generations were there, watching from the back of their pick-up trucks and perched on top of their minivans.  

"I'm 54 and I've never missed a year," said Roy, who was sporting his dad's weathered cowboy hat, which he's had since age 18. 

"Our dad took us every year. It was a tradition. Now my grandchildren are here, and I'm passing the tradition on to my boy, Ricky."

The family used to watch from the King Edward Hotel in downtown Calgary, but claimed the parking lot this year because the King Eddie is shut down.

"The entire family is here," said Ricky, pointing to the many Kruses scattered on top of cars in the lot. "We wouldn't miss it for anything."

The highlight of the Stampede for the Kruse family?

"Right here," said Roy, grinning. "You're looking at it."

 

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