2025 Calgary Stampede Parade

We Won The Best Business/Entrepreneur Award!

2025 Parade Float Overview

This year, Porterfield Studios Ltd. is saddling up for our first official ride through the Calgary Stampede Parade—bringing a float that’s equal parts fun, flair, and frontier spirit. Picture this: a pint-sized airplane wearing a giant cowboy hat, towing a 10-foot-long streamer banner that proudly proclaims:

“Builders of Canada's Largest Cowboy Hat”

This playful, larger-than-life design captures the heart of who we are—a Calgary-based creative agency that builds BIG things and delivers bold, imaginative solutions for brands, municipalities, and businesses across the West (and beyond).

But this float ain’t just for show—it’s a tip of the hat to what we do best: From sketchpad to steel frame, we take wild ideas and turn them into reality. Our cowboy hat claim-to-fame was no small feat—it was the largest in Canadian history, built right here in Calgary. This year’s parade float celebrates that achievement and the creative grit and teamwork that make our projects take to the air.

Our whole crew saddled up for this one—from welders and painters to designersand logistics pros. It’s a full-team effort, and a showcase of the multidisciplinary creativity that runs through everything we do at Porterfield Studios.

After 20 years of doing business in Calgary—and after building plenty of floats behind the scenes—we’re thrilled to finally take our own place in the parade spotlight. It’s our way of celebrating community pride, championing local creativity, and joining the spirit of the greatest outdoor show on Earth.

This year, we’re proud to carry a powerful symbol of respect and partnership: nestled in the brim of the giant cowboy hat is a handcrafted feather, designed by Tsuut’ina artist and Museum Director Jeanette Starlight. We were honoured to build a permanent monument for the Tsuut’ina Nation at the site of the former St. Barnabas Indian Residential School, which features her work—and with her blessing, this special feather now rides with us through the Stampede Parade. She even signed it. It’s quite literally a real Feather In Our Cap.

Cory & Jeanette Starlight

We build big things. We wrangle bold ideas. And we’re proud to call Calgary home.

Giant Cowboy Hat Project Details

Client:	Smithbilt Hats Inc.
Install Location:	Inglewood - Calgary, Alberta Canada
Project start date:	August 1, 2023
Completed:	October 1st 2024
Built By:	Planned & Built by Porterfield Studios Ltd.
Art Director:	Cory Porterfield
Structural Engineer:	Fred Harbins
Process:	Actual Smithbilt Hat Scanned, 3D modeled, CNC Milled, Hand Sculpted and Finished
Materials:	EPS foam, steel internal frame and coated with polyurea
Paint:	Benjamin Moore paint provided by Calgary North Decorating
Size:	20’ long, 16’ wide, 8’ tall
Special Features:	Custom Made Aluminum Sign, Internal Hat Band & LED Lighting
Approvals:	CSA and City of Calgary
Fun Facts:	Biggest cowboy hat in Canada and largest realistic cowboy hat in the world!