Finalists named in Grey Cup Festival community celebration contest

The field is set for the Richardson Pioneer Rider Nation Community Celebration contest.

Richardson Pioneer and the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders on Wednesday announced the 10 finalists in the contest: Abbey, Arcola, Birch Hills, Churchbridge, the File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council (with its 11 member Nations), Kindersley, Langham, Marshall, Nipawin and Whitewood.

Six winners are to be named Friday during a media conference in Saskatoon. Each is to receive a $25,000 grant to support fundraising efforts for sport, recreation and culture initiatives in their communities.

The Richardson Pioneer Rider Nation Community Celebration is a one-day party hosted by each of the winners. Each bash could include things like the Grey Cup trophy, members of the current Roughriders or alumni, and members of the game-day entertainment teams like Gainer the Gopher.

The parties will celebrate the Grey Cup Festival, Nov. 16-20 in Regina.

“We’re thankful for our partnership with Richardson Pioneer and the generous investment they’re making in Saskatchewan communities to help the province celebrate the 2022 Grey Cup Festival,” Craig Reynolds, the Roughriders’ president and CEO and Grey Cup Festival co-chair, said in a release.

“More than 60 communities put forward worthy projects and, after careful consideration, we had the difficult task of narrowing the applicants to the shortlist of 10 communities. We thank every community for taking the time to apply, and we wish them well in their fundraising efforts.”

Tickets for the Grey Cup game are to go on sale June 14 at 10 a.m.