Rider fan hosts competition in annual tailgate party

REGINA – Every time the Winnipeg Blue Bombers come to Regina for the Labour Day Classic, Roughrider fan Wayne Kuntz invites them over for a party.

This year was no exception, with more than 100 blue and gold fans packed into his yard beside Mosaic Stadium.

Twelve years ago, the party started as a misunderstanding.

“The first year the bus tours came through, everyone had stocked up on their favourite beverage. Now of course you can’t walk around drinking booze, and the security folks weren’t real nice,” said Kuntz.

Some of the Bomber fans went for a stroll with their drinks and ended up on Kuntz’s street.

“Two of them walked by and they said, ‘Hey, do you mind if we have a beer?’ and I said, ‘Hell no!’ They turned around and said ‘Everybody, come over here!'”

That was the beginning of an annual tradition.

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On Sunday, the party started about three hours before game-time, and continued to grow as fans arrived by the carload.

For many of the diehard fans, Wayne’s World is the reason they keep coming back.

“It’s so awesome that we can come here and have a few drinks and there’s a band,” said Chelsea DuPont, in town for the sixth year in a row. “We get to see all the other Bomber fans because you kind of feel lonely when you’re here. There’s a lot of green!”

“Wayne’s World is probably the best part of Labour Day. I would come here just to go to Wayne’s World and not even go to the game. It’s probably the best three hours you’re going to have in your life,” said an excited Kevin Cheetham.

Kuntz knows his kindness is appreciated.

“I shake more hands and get more refreshments offered to me than I know what to do with,” he laughed.

Besides, the Bomber fans are quick to return the favour.

“When I can, I get to the Banjo Bowl, and they treat me like gold,” he said.

He admitted things can get a little rowdy in the crowd, but said normally people are well behaved.

There’s only ever been one fight in Wayne’s World.

“Once, a long time ago. It was caused by a Rider fan,” he remembered.

But Kuntz doesn’t want there to be any confusion over which team he cheers for:

“I’m a Rider fan, let’s get that straight!”

Other Rider fans support the move.

“I think it’s great,” said Roughrider season ticket holder Daryl Gartiner. “It’s all in good fun and good taste and I hope it will remain that way.”