Calgary Stampede announces Andrew Phung as celebrity judge for 2026 parade

Andrew Phung is photographed in Toronto on Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young)

Canadian actor and comedian Andrew Phung will serve as the celebrity judge for the 2026 Stampede Parade in Calgary.

Phung, known for his role as Arnold “Kimchee” Han on sitcom Kim’s Convenience, is from Calgary and performed with Loose Moose Theatre.

“I’m a northeast Calgary kid, born and raised, and it’s an absolute honour to come home and serve as celebrity judge for the Calgary Stampede Parade,” Phung said in a news release.

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“I remember attending the parade as a kid with my mom and grandparents, and it was always a highlight for me. Early mornings, wide eyes seeing the beautiful floats, and a belly full of syrup and pancakes.”

Phung’s duty as a celebrity judge is to help review the floats, marching bands and equestrian entries and select the winners in several categories, including the Celebrity Judge’s Choice Award.

“We’ve wanted Andrew involved with the Calgary Stampede Parade for a long time and are incredibly excited we were able to make it happen this year,” said Keith Marlowe, volunteer Stampede Parade Committee chair. “He is a tremendous ‘get’ for us - funny, authentic, proud of his Canadian roots and absolutely oozing with personality. We know parade fans are going to love him.”

Past celebrity judges include Rangeland Derby legend Kelly Sutherland, former Miss Universe Canada and Amazing Race Canada participant Ashley Callingbull, Heartland TV Stars Amber Marshall, Chris Potter and Shaun Johnston and Calgary artist Devon Cole.

The 2026 Stampede Parade – which serves as the official kickoff to Stampede – starts at 9 a.m. on Friday, July 3, and will be live on-air and online at CTV News Calgary.

Canadian Olympians Courtney Sarault and Mikaël Kingsbury will serve as parade marshals.