BCLionsDen.ca video blogger, Monique Gendron, did the rounds at the 100th Grey Cup Train Tour launch in Vancouver. If you missed it, Monique pretty much takes you there in this great video.
You can follow Monique on Twitter: @lilminimo and subscribe to her YouTube channel as well.
Related: 100th Grey Cup Train is a fun CFL history lesson.
Those who are diehard fans of the Canadian Football League will likely know a fair bit about the history of the league. For those new to the game, or the casual fan, the Grey Cup 100 Tour Train serves as a travelling history lesson of the game and the league so many of us love.
Starting its 40 plus stop journey across the country in Vancouver, the train celebrates the past while also focusing on the current stars of the game, effectively captivating fans of all ages. It is beautifully wrapped with the 100th Grey Cup logo and stars of the league such as Travis Lulay, Anthony Calvillo and Fred Stamps. The 100th Grey Cup stamp collection is also prominently featured in the design.
There are two sections to the train, one focusing on the Grey Cup itself, while the others celebrate the rich and storied history of the league in a museum type setting.
On the Grey Cup car, fans can hear the motivational speeches of Grey Cup coaches as they prepare their teams for battle. Interactive touch screen displays allow fans to pull up the name plates of every championship team in the history of the trophy, or browse a fan photo montage. The rings of past champions are prominently displayed. The Grey Cup itself awaits visitors at the end of this car. Fans can have their picture taken with the trophy and have it receiver it by e-mail.
The history cars take fans from the beginning in 1909 and its eastern roots, to the inclusion of the west and right through to the present day. You can learn about the league during war time, the depression and about classic clashes like the Mud Bowl, the Fog Bowl and the Snow Bowl. (Why don’t they call them cups?). Did you know the price of a Grey Cup ticket in 1971 was $15.00?
There is another car (which I apparently wasn’t supposed to be in) that will cater to VIP’s and sponsors along the journey, complete with a bar. I did envision myself travelling to Toronto in November on the train. Oh what a party that would be as we picked up fans on our journey east!
Even as a major CFL fan, there were several stories I wasn’t aware of before touring the train, so there is definitely something for everyone on board.
In addition to the train itself, there is a festival type atmosphere at the event. There was a strong presence by the Lions who had current and former players signing autographs. There were interactive football type activities for the kids and live music as well.
One of the coolest ideas to come from this tour is the Fan Cup presented by Telus. Fans can sign up and have their name included on new trophy to be called the Fan Cup that will eventually reside in the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in Hamilton. Telus has come up with a penny press that turns your penny into a keepsake, while ensuring a piece of your penny will be used to create the new cup. The whole process takes a while, so be prepared to stand in line for a bit.
The train is a great way to celebrate the 100th Grey Cup Championship and the history behind it. In addition to the scheduled train stops the Grey Cup will also make several other appearances in communities all over the country, leading up to the big game in November. The cup itself will make a total of 100 appearances by the time the tour is done.
Get out and see it when it comes to your community and celebrate the storied 100 year history of the Canadian Football League!
The contest is now closed. Congratulations to our winner Angela Shoemaker!
Everyone knows that this season marks the 100th anniversary of the Grey Cup championship in Canada. The league is doing many cool things throughout the year to mark the special occasion, and Telus is sponsoring a really neat idea that they wanted us to share with you.
Starting this Saturday, September 8th, fans will have the opportunity to put their name on a 100th anniversary replica Grey Cup that will sit alongside the greats of the game inside The Canadian Football Hall of Fame. Cast from the copper of Canadian pennies, The Fan Cup will be engraved with the names of thousands of CFL fans from across Canada and reside in the Hall of Fame as a symbol of appreciation for a century of loyal fan support.
Fans will create The Fan Cup trophy during The Grey Cup 100 Tour by using a custom-built Telus Penny Press to make their own 100th Grey Cup Game collectable out of a real Canadian penny. Every penny pressed by a fan will be collected and used to create The Fan Cup which will then be etched with all fans’ names. The Grey Cup 100 Tour will make 100 stops across Canada, giving fans the chance to experience a momentous piece of the CFL first-hand and be part of the Fan Cup.
The official unveiling and first pull of the TELUS Penny Press will take place at the BC Lions’ Telus Game Day versus the Montreal Alouettes in Vancouver on Saturday, September 8, 2012 at 11 a.m. in Terry Fox Plaza. Fans will have the opportunity to join CFL Hall of Famer and Canadian Sports Hall of Famer Lui Passaglia, CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon and Telus CFO Robert McFarlane, along with a local KidSport Canada Ambassador to be one of the first fans to make their mark on The Fan Cup presented by Telus.
Fans can also visit www.telus.com/fancup to take part in The Fan Cup virtually. Everyone who participates online will have their name displayed with The Fan Cup in the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. Telus will contribute $1 for every virtual penny pressed to KidSport Canada and will give an extra $1 if they share their Fan Cup experience on Twitter or Facebook.
KidSport Canada is a national not-for-profit organization that provides funding to help children in need across Canada play organized sports. By removing financial barriers and increasing access to sport programs, KidSport contributes to developing healthier, more active and well-rounded children. Since 2000, TELUS has given more than $200,000 to KidSport.
Telus has given us two tickets to Saturday’s game to give away to help spread the word of this once in a lifetime chance to be part of CFL history.
To win you can enter in two ways. First tweet post this tweet on Twitter
I want to win 2 tix to the #BCLions #Als game & be part of the #FanCup presented by @Telus http://tinyurl.com/d943p2y #100GC #CFL
For a bonus entry, leave a comment here about the Fan Cup or how you would like to attend the game on Saturday.
I will announce a randomly drawn winner Friday evening from the total number of entries. Winners will be put in touch with an event representative and will need to arrange for pick up of the tickets on game day.
For more information about TELUS presents The Fan Cup, visit www.telus.com/fancup.
