Enjoy a Labour Day weekend tradition in a new more comfortable way, and help a worthy cause
Friday night I paid my first visit to Investors Group Field, hoping that I might bring the Winnipeg Blue Bombers the luck they needed to record their first victory in their new home. Alas, it was not to be as the Hamilton TiCats prevailed 37-18.
After a return match with Hamilton at the TiCats temporary home at the University of Guelph next weekend, the Bombers will engage in their annual home and home matches with my other favourite team, the Saskatchewan Roughriders. My allegiance to the Riders is blood-related. My dear departed Dad, Andy Currie, played for them in two Grey Cup games, in 1928 and 1930 when he was still in his teens.
While I’ve spent most of my life in Winnipeg and have lived and died with the Blue Bombers since the 1950’s, on the first two weekends in September I usually declare “I’m happy with whatever the result might be.” I have spent a total of 11 years living in Regina, and I attended my first Labour Day Classic back in 1962 just before I began my freshman year at Kelvin in Winnipeg.
I have been at Taylor Field ( now known as Mosaic Stadium ) on more than 20 Labour Day weekends since that first encounter, but this year I’m going to enjoy game on Sunday September 1st on Manitoba’s largest indoor TV screen. It’s at the Metropolitan Entertainment Centre and the high definition image measures an incredible 35 feet by 26 feet.
In some ways it’s better than being there, especially if your mobility is challenged like mine, making it a bit of chore to climb stairs and line up for washrooms and over-priced eats. When the Bombers and Roughriders clash, why not join us the Met for a Bud, Spud and Steak. That’s the latest rage when it comes to fundraising, and the Canad Inns folks have become very skilled at it. On this occasion we’re raising money for the Manitoba Lung Association. Since returning to Winnipeg in May of 2012, I’ve been honoured to serve on their board.
Tickets for September 1st are just $20 , and that covers everything except your beverages. The game starts at 3pm Winnipeg time, and doors will be open at the Met at 1.30 that afternoon.
Tickets are available at the Manitoba Lung Association office at 629 McDermott Avenue in Winnipeg. You can also reserve tickets with a credit card by calling ( 204 ) 774-5501 during office hours.
Tickets are also available at the Met, starting 10.30am each day. Their phone number is ( 204 ) 594-9494.
If you really want special treatment, e-mail me at rogerc@mymts.net and I will personally arrange to get tickets to you.
In addition to the food and the game, we’ll have a number of prize packages up for auction, and blue or green beer and popcorn will be served.
So put on your blue jersey or the green, like me, and come on along.
Please help support the Manitoba Lung Association!!!
