New Parade Marshal program allows for more community input

By Lethbridge Herald on February 10, 2026.

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman

Lethbridge Herald

Excite Lethbridge has opened the nomination process for the Whoop-Up Days Parade Marshal to the public this year and they are asking for their input. 

Whoop-Up Days is one of the most attended events of the year, which kicks off with a parade led by a member of the community, a group, organization, or business that has demonstrated they have made a difference in the community. 

The new Whoop-Up Days Community Parade Marshal program allows community members to nominate deserving individuals or groups to lead the parade in 2026.

Director of community engagement Sydney Koppe, says they opened the nomination process to the community, because the community knows best who is worthy of representing it as a Parade Marshal.

“The Parade Marshal will be nominated and chosen not just for their accomplishments, but for the impact they’ve made,” said Koppe. “They’ll represent our shared stories and deep-rooted connections that bring us together and we are so excited to see who our community will bring forward as nominees.”

For over a century, the Whoop-Up Days Parade has marked the start of Whoop-Up Days showcasing the individuals, businesses, and organizations that make a difference in our community. 

The Whoop-Up Days Parade celebrates the people, places and things that make Lethbridge a great place to live and visit and as such the Parade Marshal is meant to reflect the community. 

Eligible nominees will be judged on set criteria including community involvement, leadership, achievements or contributions, and alignment with the 2026 parade theme.

This year’s theme is Midway Magic, which celebrates the timeless charm of the classic Whoop-Up Days Midway. More than rides and games, the midway represents connection, excitement, and the spirit of community that defines Whoop-Up Days. 

Recent Whoop-Up Days Parade Marshals include the Morris Family in 2025, Duane Kesler in 2024, Corb Lund in 2023 and the Chiefs of the Blackfoot Confederacy in 2022.

Nominations for the 2026 Whoop-Up Days Parade Marshal are open now and will close on March 13. To learn more or submit a nomination, visit whoopupdays.ca.