Moncton ready for CFL party

Street and tailgate party, golf tournament, minor league football showcase and gala event to highlight festivities surrounding Sept. 26 CFL game in Moncton

When organizers of the Scotiabank Touchdown Atlantic Festival said they would work to make the Sept. 26 Canadian Football League game at the Stade Moncton 2010 Stadium feel like a “Mini Grey Cup,” they weren’t kidding.

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Organizers unveiled the details of some of the festivities that will lead up to Moncton’s big taste of the CFL yesterday and there’s absolutely nothing “mini” about it.

“While football fans are excited for Sunday’s game, there is so much more happening in Moncton that week,” said Host Committee Co-Chair Brent Scrimshaw. “We have worked hard to create a festival that will make Moncton the place to be regardless whether you have a ticket to the sold out game or not. It is a front-to-back celebration of Canadian football.”

The game itself, featuring the Toronto Argonauts and Edmonton Eskimos, will only be a small part of the experience as festivities kick-off on Sept. 23 for a jam-packed slate of events.

On Thursday, Sept. 23, there will be a CFL Atlantic Alumni Association Golf Classic.

The event will be in support of the Moncton Football Association Charities and will be hosted at the Royal Oaks Golf Club.

The event will allow golfers in the region a chance to play with former CFL greats. Registration is at 11 a.m. on Thursday, with a shotgun start at noon. This event is open to the public with individual golf registration at $175 or $700 for foursomes. To register or for more information, contact Jan Carinci at 852-3218 or 961-2783.

There will also be a bright spotlight shone on amateur football during the week with “The Future Stars Festival,” which will see games take place at Rocky Stone Field.

On Thursday, Sept. 23, the Odyssée Olympiens and the Mathieu Martin Matadors play at 7 p.m. On Friday, Sept. 24, there is a high school doubleheader as Moncton High Purple Knights and Bernice MacNaughton Highlanders square off at 4 p.m., followed by a second game at 7:15 p.m. when the Harrison Trimble Trojans and the Riverview Royals go head-to-head.

Wrapping up the action of the Future Stars Festival is the Atlantic University Sport football match-up on Saturday, Sept. 25 at 2 p.m. when the Mount Allison Mounties will host the Saint Mary’s Huskies.

Tickets for the high school games will be $5 for adults and $3 for students and university football match-up tickets will be $8 for adults and $5 for students.

Tickets will be available this summer at the Moncton Coliseum box office.

Also on Saturday, primary sponsor Scotiabank will play host to a Pigskin Soiree, Moncton’s gala event at the Delta Beauséjour. The event will feature entertainment from Lucien, key CFL personalities and great local cuisine. Tickets for the Scotiabank Pigskin Soiree are $2,500 for a table of 10. Contact the host committee office at 506-389-5925 for tickets and more information.

Running throughout the weekend will be a Street Festival and Mainstage Showcase, put on by Lotto Max and Molson Canadian. The free event will feature many interactive booths and demonstrations designed for the whole family. Musical entertainment will take place each evening from 6 p.m. until 11 p.m. Amongst the featured artists planned to take the stage will be The Trews and The Joel Plaskett Emergency.

Finally, organizers have announced The Economy Glass Tailgate Party will take place adjacent to the stadium on Sunday, Sept. 26 starting at 10 a.m. With food and entertainment in traditional tailgate style, it’s a party sure to excite football fans. Tickets for that event are $10 for adults and $5 for children under 14, with all proceeds in support of Moncton’s two local hospitals. Tickets will be available at Moncton Coliseum’s box office.

While hoping to excite football fans here in New Brunswick, the fanfare surrounding the game has also attracted fans from coast-to-coast.

“This really promises to be a perfect match: the excitement of the CFL and the legendary hospitality of Moncton and Atlantic Canada, coming together for what will be a truly memorable week of fun and football,” said CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon.