The town woke up bright and early for the annual Buffalo Stampede parade, with local businesses and organizations lining up to greet the community with candy and smiles.

“My whole family looks forward to watching the stampede every year,” senior Sherlynn Rodriguez said. “I love seeing my friends being involved in it.”

Due to COVID, the stampede was cancelled last year but it was back on this year, with perfect weather and sunny skies to celebrate the parade and the rodeo event on Saturday and Sunday.

“It was the perfect day for a stampede,” senior Emma Adams said. “We’re usually drenched with sweat by the end, but it wasn’t so bad this year.”

School organizations including the Brigade, Belles and cheerleaders participated in the parade. There were also firefighters with loud sirens, decorated four wheelers and lots of horses.

“The band loves being in the stampede and the community loves it as well,” senior Omar Almeida said. “Music really brings it all together.”

Several local businesses also participated.

“I saw new additions in the parade that I haven’t seen in previous years,” junior Pari Jariwala said. “I even saw the mayor on a float.”