UDPATE, TUESDAY: Here’s all the latest information on the parade route.
Original story:
Winnipeg Blue Bombers fans will have a chance to celebrate their team’s first championship in almost 30 years at a Grey Cup parade Tuesday.
Late Monday the team announced the parade will make its way down Portage Avenue from noon to 3 p.m.
“You’d hate to miss this. It’s been 30 years in the making,” said Dayna Spiring, chair of the board of the Winnipeg Football Club, earlier in the day Monday, before the final route was decided on.
“We made some very, very preliminary plans last week on the off-chance the Bombers would be able to win. You don’t want to get too far down that planning process until you know you have a Grey Cup to hoist in the air.
“Tomorrow will be a celebration.”
And the Winnipeg Blue Bombers most certainly have a cup to hoist.
Spiring said she watched footage of the Sunday night celebrations at Portage and Main with the players, who were inspired by the fan support.
“We know that our teammates want to get back and they want to celebrate with Winnipeggers -– whether they are a Winnipegger like Andrew Harris or whether they have adopted Winnipeg as their home town like Zach Collaros.
“Those guys played for our city and they want to celebrate with our fans.”
The parade will feature players, coaches, and staff, as well as Winnipeg Blue Bombers President & CEO, Wade Miller, Premier Brian Pallister, Mayor Brian Bowman, the Cheer & Dance Team, Buzz and Boomer, the Blue Bombers Drum Band, and Dancing Gabe.
“Congratulations to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on a historic playoff run and for providing Winnipeg with the Championship win,” said Bowman in a release.
“Winnipeg is bursting with excitement and we’re grateful to Wade Miller and the entire Winnipeg Football Club for finally ending the Grey Cup drought!”
Pallister echoed the mayors sentiments about the Bomber’s big win in Calgary.
“On behalf of all Manitobans and all Bomber fans everywhere, I thank all the players and the management and staff of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for ending the 29 year drought and starting a new series of Grey Cup championships, congratulations!” he said in a release.
The parade will start at Hargrave Street and head east down Portage Avenue before culminating at The Forks.