Powell River Farmers’ Market played host to the Grey Cup Festival Tour, where market-goers could have a firsthand experience with football and build excitement for the Canadian Football League’s biggest game.
BC Lions will be hosting the 2024 Grey Cup Festival in Vancouver from November 10 to 17, and in the lead-up, the festival tour caravan, complete with a large, inflatable replica of the Grey Cup, visited the qathet region, where football fans could meet with marketing representatives, find some information on the festival, and throw some footballs.
Raphael Barrientos, team lead for the Grey Cup program attending the farmers’ market, said the tour happens all over British Columbia, from Vancouver Island to the Interior, as far as Prince George and Fort St. John, ending up in Victoria at the end of August when the Lions face Ottawa Redblacks in a game to be played in the BC capital.
“We have a cool truck here that is all decked out for the BC Lions,” said Barrientos. “We have a video contest where people can enter, submit their videos to win tickets and swag for the Grey Cup festival in November.
“The festival itself is free to attend for anybody but it is a ticketed sporting event for the actual game. We’re here today creating interest in this great event.”
Barrientos said that while the festival tour was at the farmers’ market, there were football activities, they had some giveaways and overall, engaged with people at the market. He said the team was prepared to answer any questions people had regarding the Grey Cup.
In the specially outfitted van, there was a television, and if a BC Lions game was being played, people at the van could see the game live.
“You don’t have to be a football fan to enjoy our footprint here,” said Barrientos. “It’s nice to have action and things going on during summer. People come here and are curious.
“The Grey Cup festival and game are great for British Columbia and great for the economy. It’s great for sports.”
Barrientos said there has been lots of turnout in the locations the tour has visited, with many fans coming out to get more information about Grey Cup week.
“A lot of people are excited and people are engaging in the activities we offer,” said Barrientos. “It’s been great. We want to provide exposure and have people come and check us out. The tour is about going to as many places as possible. It’s a lot of fun.”
The CFL’s championship game will be played on November 17 at BC Place. For more information, go to greycupfestival.ca.
