Since 2001 the Roads Maintenance Critters have been cleaning up along the Calgary Stampede Parade route. Now, after 13 years of service, Dixie, Samson, Rocky and Alfalfa are hanging up their cowboy hats and heading for greener pastures.
The Critters were created by a local puppeteer back in 2001 and have been placed on a street sweeper every year during the Calgary Stampede Parade to clean up after horses and humans along the parade route.
The 2014 Calgary Stampede Parade today was the Critters’ last. Next year you’ll see four new faces in the Stampede Parade but before we send off Dixon, Samson, Rocky and Alfalfa you’ll be able to see them and say good bye at a variety of City of Calgary Parks over the next couple of weeks.
You can visit them in the Parking lot of these parks:
Ralph Klein Park (12350 84 Street S.E.) on Wednesday, July 9: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Prairie Winds Park (223 Castleridge Boulevard N.E.) on Friday, July 11: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Inglewood Bird Sanctuary (2425 9 Avenue S.E.) on Monday, July 14: 9 a.m. to noon
Sue Higgins Park (Southland Drive and Deerfoot Trail S.E.) on Friday, July 18: 9 a.m. to noon
The Critters will be available for children of all ages to meet and take pictures with. Post your photo on Twitter using the hashtag #farewellcritters and you’ll be entered into a draw for fun City of Calgary Roads swag. We’ll also be hosting other Twitter contests throughout the Stampede to say good bye to our Critters, follow @yyctransport for more details.