Trio of Heartland Stars Named 2024 Stampede Parade Celebrity Judges

The Calgary Stampede Parade Committee is proud to announce Amber Marshall, Chris Potter and Shaun Johnston, stars of the hit television series Heartland, as Celebrity Judges for the 2024 Stampede Parade presented by Suncor.

Amber Marshall, known to Heartland fans as Amy Fleming, is no stranger to the Stampede Parade having served as the 2018 Parade Marshal. From London, Ontario, Marshall’s love of both animals and acting came together at a very early age. As a young child she and her stuffed animals put on plays for her parents and by age seven she was performing in front of real audiences. By age 12, not only was she an accomplished horseback rider, but she was also playing a lead role in a children’s television program. At 18, with three years of veterinary experience under her belt, she auditioned for a part playing a girl living on a ranch in southern Alberta in a new television series called Heartland. Eighteen years later, she is still a girl living on a ranch in southern Alberta and still filming Heartland right outside her back door.

Chris Potter is also from London, Ontario. Since 2007, in the fictional town of Hudson, Alberta, he is known as Amy’s father, Tim Fleming; a role for which he received a Gemini nomination for the first season. While working towards a career as a stage actor, Chris worked everywhere from the oil and gas sector up north to selling cars and insurance. Following a number of years as a pitchman in television commercials and smaller shows, Chris landed his first prominent role, playing Detective Peter Caine on Kung Fu: The Legend Continues. Chris has also played many other roles, including Evan Owen in The Young and The Restless and as the voice of Gambit in X-men: The Animated Series.

Ponoka, Alberta’s Shaun Johnston is an original cast member of Heartland in the role of Jack Bartlett. Shaun graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the acclaimed drama program at the University of Alberta. Shaun began his career in the thriving Edmonton theatre scene and in 1992 co-founded the Shadow Theatre, which is still one of the provincial capital’s most successful theatres. His first lead role in a feature film was in Two Brothers, a Girl and a Gun, a role he claims to have negotiated for a ‘rack’ of Budweiser, a t-shirt and a Buck knife. Shaun has also had television and film roles in both the United States and Canada in productions that include: X-Files, Jake and the Kid, Smallville, Traders, Mayerthorpe and Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee.

The Parade Celebrity Judges select their favourite parade entry from all categories. The 2024 Stampede Parade will feature more than 100 entries including 11 bands, 21 floats and more than 30 horse entries.

“Heartland has given the world a taste of the western heritage and culture that is at the heart of the Calgary Stampede,” said Blair Barkley, Chair of the Stampede Parade Committee. “We are thrilled to have Amber back on the parade route this year and I know she along with Chris and Shaun will have an incredible line-up of entries from which to choose their favourite.”

Marshall, Potter and Johnston join a list of notable local and national celebrities who have served as Celebrity Judges, including University of Calgary Chancellor and former Calgary Stampeder Jon Cornish, country music star Aaron Pritchett, entrepreneur and Dragons Den star Manjit Minhas, chuckwagon legend Kelly “the King” Sutherland, former television meteorologist David Spence, and 2023 Celebrity Judge, actor and model Ashley Callingbull.

The Calgary Stampede Parade begins at 9 a.m. on Friday, July 5, with the prelude beginning at 7:30 a.m. Those unable to attend in person are invited to enjoy the Parade from the comfort of their living rooms through a special broadcast by our partners at Corus Entertainment with Global Calgary broadcasting all of the excitement live.

Tune in to Global Calgary on Friday, July 5, at 8:45 a.m. to watch a special live broadcast of the 2024 Stampede Parade. The Global News Morning team along with Corus Entertainment’s The Morning Show will have all of the action for you from this year’s route. The special broadcast will air on Global Television, the Global TV app, Globalnews.ca, the Global News YouTube channel, Facebook and Amazon Prime.

Following the Parade on Friday, July 5, guests can take advantage of Stampede Parade to Park presented by Suncor by going straight from the Parade to Stampede Park to receive free admission from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Click here to view a message from the 2024 Celebrity Judges.

About the Calgary Stampede The Calgary Stampede celebrates the people, the animals, the land, the traditions and the values that make up the unique spirit of the west. The Calgary Stampede contributes to the quality of life in Calgary and southern Alberta through our world-renowned Stampede, year-round facilities, western events and several youth and agriculture programs. Exemplifying the theme We’re Greatest Together, we are a volunteer-supported, not-for-profit community organization that preserves and celebrates our western heritage, cultures and community spirit. All revenue is reinvested into Calgary Stampede programs and facilities.

For more information, please contact:
Bob Young Chair, Media and Communications Subcommittee
Calgary Stampede Parade Committee
T 403.850.5575
E mediacoordinator@calgarystampedeparade.com
Follow us: @csparade