WINNIPEG — Throughout various appearances and live on location shows this week, it’s been pretty hard to run into someone who is in Winnipeg enjoying their first Grey Cup.
The question “Is this the first time you’ve been to a Grey Cup?” is almost scoffed at when I’ve questioned various fans.
Take for example these three fine ladies…
All three of them live in separate provinces. You can tell by their gear we’ve got Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia all represented.
Every year they all meet in the Grey Cup city, no matter where it’s being held. For one of them this is her 43rd game. 43 games!
Tradition. That’s what it’s about for these ladies, and a common thread for most that attend the CFL’s big match.
Take MJ and Mervin.
This married couple are enjoying their 23rd Grey Cup, and yes, clearly they are from Calgary.
They love the camaraderie. And year after year it’s a chance to run into old friends they’ve met in Grey Cups past.
I also met plenty of women, who leave their significant others at home and make it a girls trip.
Here’s Joy-Ann and Cherrill from Vancouver.
Joy-Ann (on the left) is a season ticket holder with the BC Lions and volunteered at last year’s Grey Cup at BC Place.
It’s her eighth Grey Cup, and she wouldn’t miss it for the world. She was proud to add her and Cherrill will be donning orange wigs come Sunday.
There are also large groups of fans travelling together.
This bunch arrived from Ottawa.
In total there will be 15 in their group. Some of them aren’t able to arrive until Saturday afternoon.
These die hard Redblack fans had their tickets even before Ottawa was a sure thing to play in the big game. No matter what, they were coming for the party.
And finally, how about this group.
The Bomber fan, and the Stampeder fan are married (Dan and Cheryl) and live right here in Winnipeg (and yes, she is STILL a Stamps fan).
They met the Ticat fans (Hugh and Donna) at Grey Cup back in 2005 and have gotten together ever since.
They know whose team throws the best party during Grey Cup Festival, as they should. They’ve been to a few.
All in all, everyone I spoke to loves Grey Cup as a truly Canadian event.
An event, they can meet up with old friends and make new ones.
They all hope for an entertaining game, but by the time kickoff happens they are already making plans for next year’s game.
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