Grey Cup tour will be familiar sight in region this summer

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are hoping to inspire an entire province as the organization gets set to host the Grey Cup this fall.

The team announced a 40-stop tour across all of Manitoba during a Grey Cup Festival kick-off event in Winnipeg May 1. The Grey Cup includes a week-long festival in the host city, making it one of the biggest sporting events in the country.

“Everyone will get to experience what a Grey Cup Festival is like in our province,” Bombers president Wade Miller said.

“Our team is so excited to get out through the province and get the Grey Cup Festival kicked off.”

Early stops include ChickenDaze in the RM of Springfield and Summer in the City in Steinbach.

The team said it is hoping to bring the Grey Cup Festival experience to places outside of Winnipeg through the tour, which is sponsored by Access Credit Union.

The province is chipping in with funding as well, providing $5.5 million for Grey Cup festivities.

Nellie Kennedy, minister of sport, culture, heritage and tourism, said the province will invest $5.5 million in support of Grey Cup events.

“Hosting the game and festival here in Winnipeg will also deliver major economic benefits, attracting visitors to our beautiful city and supporting local businesses,” minister of sport, culture, heritage and tourism Nellie Kennedy said at the kickoff event.

The tour’s full schedule is available online at greycupfestival.ca.

The Bombers were busy with community announcements last week, also donating 500 helmets to amateur football teams across the province.

Grey Cup Tour stops in region

ChickenDaze (RM of Springfield) – June 1

Summer in the City (Steinbach) – June 14

Manitoba Stampede (Morris) – July 18

Sunflower Festival (Altona) – July 26

Fire and Water Music Festival (Lac du Bon net) – Aug 2

Richer Roughstock Rodeo (Richer) – Aug 8

Movie in the Park (Oakbank) – Aug 20

Double B Ag Festival (Beausejour/Broken head) – Sept 5