The symbol of Canadian football supremacy will embark on a train trip through Northern Manitoba in October before making its way to Winnipeg, the host of the 103rd Grey Cup game for the Canadian Football League championship on Nov. 29.
The Grey Cup will start its tour of Northern Manitoba in The Pas on Oct. 19, make an appearance in Flin Flon that afternoon and then head to Snow Lake on Oct. 20 before coming to Thompson on Oct. 21. The iconic trophy will stop for two days in Churchill Oct. 23-24 before heading back south on board a VIA Rail train, with fans having an opportunity to get photos with the Grey Cup during whistle stops at train stations in Gillam, Ilford, Pikwitonei, Thicket Portage and Wabowden on Oct. 25 and in Dauphin on Oct. 26.
The cup will be accompanied by Winnipeg Free Press contest winners Marge and Ted Avent who have been Winnipeg Blue Bombers season ticket holders for over 50 years and will travel by VIA Rail with the cup from Oct. 18-26, getting the opportunity to see polar bears in Churchill along the way.
“We are excited and very thankful to be chosen to join the northern trip to Churchill, and we are certain that it will fulfill a dream come true,” said Marge Avent.
Also along for the ride will be Blue Bombers alumni Doug Brown and Brett McNeill.
“Hosting the Grey Cup is a once-in-a-generation opportunity, and a trip to Churchill is often a ‘bucket list’ trip for many people,” said Jason Smith, president of the 103rd Grey Cup Festival. “Although Winnipeg will be hosting the Grey Cup championship game on Nov. 29, we wanted the whole province to participate in the Grey Cup excitement. We are connecting with thousands of Manitobans to make sure they can enjoy the Grey Cup spirit as well.”
The tour is also being sponsored by Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities, which will donate sporting equipment to children in need along the route through its community development program.
“We’re proud to be involved in this year’s Grey Cup Festival to spread awareness about Jumpstart and the importance of providing kids with the opportunity to try a new sport or return to a sport they’ve always loved,” said Glenn McLean, Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities regional manager for Central Canada, Nunavut and Northwestern Ontario. “Jumpstart is proud to have helped over 28,600 kids across Manitoba get in the game.”
The 103rd Grey Cup Festival Northern Manitoba tour is also being sponsored by Travel Manitoba, Greyhound, Frontiers North Adventures, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Tundra Inn, the Victoria Inn Flin Flon, Lakeview Inn & Suites in Thompson and the Kikiwak Inn in The Pas.
