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Members of the Canadian Forces descended from a helicopter in Forks on Sunday afternoon with their precious cargo – the Gray Cup.
The day helped mark the start of Gray Cup week, which is also known to many as the biggest party of the year in the CFL and will culminate with the league championship game on Nov. 16 at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg.
“It's just a big celebration, it's a big party,” said Christine Orvis, who attended Sunday's event and is heading to the Gray Cup game.
“All the holidays [and] just seeing everyone come from all over Canada, it’s a good time.”
It's Gray Cup week in Winnipeg and members of the Canadian Forces brought the league's top prize to Forks in style on Sunday. The 112th Gray Cup game will be played at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg.
Thousands of fans will flock to Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg for the big game, tickets for which were announced last week. The city center also hosts events as part of the Gray Cup festival, which people can attend for free or with tickets.
A provincial spokesperson said Friday it is estimated that the result will be a big game and additional celebrations. in “an increase in economic activity of more than $90 million, including $8.2 million in provincial tax revenue.” ”
“Having the Gray Cup in Winnipeg and the Winnipeg Festival is not just a celebration, it is an important economic stimulus,” said Nellie Kennedy, the province's minister of sport, culture, heritage and tourism, during a news conference on Sunday.
“This event stimulates local businesses, attracts visitors and puts Manitoba in the national spotlight.”
Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham echoed the minister's thoughts and said businesses could make big strides during the week.
“It’s great for our restaurants, it’s great for our stores where people will come and buy local products,” he said.
Business hopes to cash in on excitement
At Devil May Care on Fort Street – about a 10-minute walk from the RBC Convention Center, which has been dubbed “Grey Cup HQ” – general manager and owner Colin Coope is hoping they can cash in on the excitement.
Koop said local breweries and taprooms sometimes go through a “quiet period” in the fall, but he's looking forward to the event bringing large crowds to downtown Winnipeg.
“We're kind of an unknown quantity there, definitely one of the smallest brewing companies … in the city and in the province,” he said. “I’m definitely looking forward to any opportunity to show people what we do well.”
About 50 per cent of visitors are typically tourists, but many people from across Canada are expected to visit Winnipeg, and Coop said he hopes that number will double.
“We're right downtown, so there's a lot of hotels around,” Koop said. “I know all the hotels are going to be full and we’re kind of… in the middle of it.”
In an interview with CBC News on Friday, Manitoba Hotel Association president and CEO Mikael Djoos said there was still room for hotels in the city, but he urged football fans who haven't yet made reservations to act quickly.
According to him, there are more than 7 thousand rental premises in the city.
“It's going to be a big increase, I think we're looking at about 5,000 rooms per night, which is certainly great to see,” Juice said.
The only thing missing from this year's festivities is the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, who will be absent from the league championship game for the first time since 2018.
However, that doesn't stop Blue Bombers fans like Orvis from having fun.
“It’s been about 10 years since I last volunteered,” she said. “It’s just great, it’s great for the city, it’s great for the province.”
Daniel and Cheryl Graham, who have been involved in Gray Cups for over a decade and are heading to their first CFL championship game since 2019, are also looking forward to the celebration.
“I just think the social aspect of it, the sociality of it, is true… Manitoba is Manitoba-friendly,” Cheryl Graham said. “Everyone will welcome everyone to the city.”
