Grey cup trophy rides in to Calgary
Festival spirit takes over host city
Tamara Gignac, Calgary Herald
Published: Thursday, November 26, 2009
The Grey Cup trophy has witnessed a lot in its 97 years: It has braved fire and theft, been doused in beer suds and Champagne and survived the head-butts of overzealous players.
Canada's ultimate symbol of football supremacy can add a new experience to its colourful history: a journey on a chuckwagon belonging to Kelly Sutherland.
The world champion driver hoisted the trophy in his arms Wednesday during a ceremonial ride downtown to City Hall, where football fans and curious office workers gathered at noon for the official kickoff to five days of celebrations leading up to Sunday's Grey Cup matchup between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Montreal Alouettes.
Festival organizers arranged the ride as a tribute to Calgary's Grey Cup party history, which dates back to 1948 when Stampeders fans launched now-legendary festivities involving chuckwagons and horses in Toronto streets and hotels.
There is also a shared history between the Calgary Stampede and "Canada's game," said Mayor Dave Bronconnier.
"The Calgary Stampede was born 97 years ago and so was the Grey Cup. This is a great Canadian tradition and we are very pleased that it's being hosted here in Calgary."
The city has a long-standing tradition of revelry that dates back decades, said Canadian Football League commissioner Mark Cohon.
"The cup is officially here. This is our annual pilgrimage: we gather in living rooms across the country, we go to parties with friends and family from Victoria to Halifax. And we come to the Grey Cup city --right here in Calgary--to cheer on our teams and connect with people," he said.
Fans from far and wide converged downtown Wednesday for their first glimpse of the Grey Cup since its arrival in Calgary.
Ethel Mongovius, 78, drove from Saskatoon with her family. The diehard Riders fan has attended every Grey Cup since 1996, but said this year's party holds special meaning.
"We were at the Grey Cup two years ago in Toronto when the Riders won. Oh my God, it was so good--and this year will be even better," said Mongovius, decked out in head-to-toe Rider gear.
Cheryl Graham isn't quite as happy. The lifelong Stamps fan from Winnipeg arrived in Calgary festooned in red and white in the hopes of cheering on her favourite team, but said she'll swallow her disappointment and holler for the Riders instead. "I'm not a big Montreal fan. They've been in the Cup so many times," said the 53-year-old. "Saskatchewan is probably the better team going into the game."
Not so, says John Holden, 47, who stood out like a sore thumb dressed in an Alouettes jersey and hat. The Calgarian has cheered for Montreal since he was 15 and said he isn't intimidated in the least by the multitude of Riders fans.
"It's great being the only Alouettes fan out here today. I'm not bothered by green-- bring it on," he said.
Sunday's matchup marks the first Grey Cup tussle between the Roughriders and the Alouettes, who last won it in 2002.
Rivalry between the two CFL teams has prompted a friendly wager between Regina Mayor Pat Fiacco and Montreal Mayor Gerald Tremblay, with the loser promising to buy two pairs of season tickets for the winning team and donate them to charity.
No matter who claims the trophy, fans of all stripes will be able to enjoy the true spirit of the Grey Cup, Calgary-style, festival chairman Malcolm Kirk said Wednesday. "You can go all the way back to 1948, when Stampeder fans made the trek across the country and took over Toronto with a party-like atmosphere that had never been seen before.
"Calgarians and Canadians alike will start the festivities once more, celebrating the game of football and showing, as the mayor said, that we know how to have a good time in Calgary."
Events over the next five days include tonight's CFL player awards at the Telus Convention Centre. More than 50,000 Grey Cup fans are expected to be downtown Friday for the Enmax Street Festival and Enmax Illumination event. Organizers estimate double that number will take in Saturday's Grey Cup parade at 11 a.m.
For a more detailed listing of events, go to www.2009-greycupfestival.com.
tgignac@theherald.canwest.com
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