Thunder ran into weather problems last year when he was scheduled to appear as the National Western Stock Show’s parade grand marshal.

Stock show organizers are giving the Broncos mascot another shot to open Denver’s 16-day agriculture celebration by leading cattle, horses and western wagons through the streets of downtown Denver. The 2018 stock show parade is scheduled for the morning of Jan. 4.

The parade is expected to start at noon and run along 17th Street from Wynkoop Steet to Broadway. The 112th National Western Stock Show is scheduled to run Jan. 6-21.

“Unfortunately, we did not have a parade last year, and so we are thrilled for a second chance to celebrate Thunder, not only as the best mascot in the NFL but also as a symbol of our western spirit and a representative of the equine community,” said Paul Andrews, president and CEO of the National Western Stock Show, in a statement.

Thunder makes annual appearances at the National Western Stock Show equestrian events. Owners Sharon Magness Blake and Ernie Blake are celebrating his 26th year as the Broncos mascot.

“I have been both a horse show judge and an exhibitor at the Stock Show for over 20 years, but nothing will be as thrilling as piloting Thunder along the parade route as he serves as the grand marshal of the National
Western Stock Show,” his rider/trainer Ann Judge said in a statement.

The Stock Show Parade will wrap with its annual barbecue lunch in the atrium of the Wells Fargo Building at 17th Street and Broadway. The barbecue will run from 11:30 a.m to 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $10.

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Business & data reporter Adrian D. Garcia can be reached via email at agarcia@denverite.com or twitter.com/adriandgarcia.