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Grey Cup 2011 Party Series: The Spirit of Edmonton

October 27, 2011 By Brian Wawryshyn

This series of blogs will take a look at some of the best parties of Grey Cup week as we count down to the Vancouver event, November 24th to 27th. In this edition, we take a look at the party that sets the bar for the rest, the always popular Spirit of Edmonton.

If you’re a Grey Cup regular, you know all about the spirit of Edmonton. If you’re a Grey Cup rookie, you soon will. There is one party that all others strive to emulate and that is the fine event put on nightly during Grey Cup week be the fine folks at the Spirit of Edmonton.

The Spirit is the melting pot of CFL fan fellowship, where fans from all teams come to gather and celebrate Grey Cup week. The event promotes the City of Edmonton as a great place to live and do business as well as promoting the CFL and the Grey Cup Championship and the Edmonton Eskimos football club.

Volunteer Coordinator and Web / Social Media representative Neil McCulloch says the Spirit is the benchmark for all other CFL parties for a few simple reasons.

“We treat each guest as a friend, family and with respect. Our hospitality suite offers awesome value to our guests, great entertainment, a friendly CFL environment and no cover charge, ever!”

The spirit was formed in 1974 and started as a typical Grey Cup room party. It has expanded over the years to what it has become today. McCulloch says the there are typically between 150 to 250 volunteers that help with the event depending on what city the event is in.

When asked what surprises the party has in store for Vancouver in 2011, McCulloch wouldn’t spill all the beans, but did indicate social media will have a role, particularly in keeping fans informed about lineups.

“We have a few kept secrets for Vancouver this year but, I can tell you is that our social media will be the way to find out what’s happening prior to and during Grey Cup. Live Twitter and Facebook updates letting people know what entertainment is coming up and letting our guests who are not in our room how long the line-up really is. We are also going to have a new feature in our room, Mojo Photo. Mojo Photo is best described as a “old school” photo both whereby guests can take their pictures in the CFL garb and a few other trinkets, goofy hats etc. as a takeaway with the Spirit logo on framed around their picture. There will be a minimal cost for this as the service is being provided by a 3rd party.”

If there is one drawback to the Spirit, it has become very hard to get into on Friday and Saturday night. So much so that the event has now opened it’s doors two hours earlier on thise nights to allow more people to get to attend. If you want to attend on these nights, you’ll likely have to get in early and be prepared to stand in line. Follow the Spirit on Twitter (@spiritofyeg) for lineup updates and possible wait times!

The Spirit of Edmonton runs nightly during the Grey Cup festival.

Where:

Sheraton Wall Centre – 1088 Burrard Street

Entertainment:

Live bands, cheer teams and various other appearances.

Cash bar, and various food items for purchase.

Schedule:

Thursday: 4:00pm to 1:00am

Friday: 2:00pm to 1:00am

Saturday: 2:00pm to 1:00am

Admission: Free, must be of legal drinking age to enter.

***Footnote***: Due to BC Liquor Laws you will need a ticket to gain access to the Spirit of Edmonton room this year. There are a couple of ways to do this.

http://spiritofedmonton.com/uploads/hospitality-room-invite.pdf

Click on the lick above and scan the QR code on your mobile device, or print the ticket and present it at the door. There is still no cost to enter, but this will be required thanks to our lovely BC governments archaic policy on liquor. Spread the word about this because a lot of people will not know about this.

Our must do list for the Grey Cup 2010! Let the parties begin! #98GC

November 20, 2010 By Brian Wawryshyn

It’s the most wonderful time of the year and no I’m not talking about Christmas. CFL fanatics across the country are getting ready to converge on the host city of Edmonton to attend Canada’s biggest national party of the year, the 98th Grey Cup Classic. While the teams that will be in the game are yet to be decided, Grey Cup week has a full schedule of events to choose from for fans.

If this is your first Grey Cup, prepare to get hooked. This will be my 6th in a row, making me a mere rookie when it comes to some of the people I’ve met over the years, some of them going on twenty-five or more in a row. It was their passion and the friendships I’ve made that have kept me coming back.

Edmonton should put on a great party, and it’s a challenge to fit everything into the four main days of the festivities. To try and help you get the most out of your experience in Edmonton, here are my five must do events for Grey Cup 2010.

1. The Spirit of Edmonton

Hands down the best hospitality room at Grey Cup and it’s also the most popular. With many fans arriving Thursday, the opening night at the Spirit is a great night. Old friends descend on the event all in their team colours. The Spirit has live music, reasonably priced “sociable’s” and a great atmosphere. As with most of the rooms, there are also appearances by all the teams cheerleading squads, various pep bands and the occasional CFL player mingling with then fans.

Despite being an “Edmonton” room, the Spirit is the home base for fans of all teams to mingle, meet and party together. It has a different vibe than many of the other rooms, and the organizers of this event do things right.

A word of advice, get there early or be prepared to stand in line, especially on Friday and Saturday night.

Oh and did I mention it’s free? This year’s event is at the Westin in downtown Edmonton and runs nightly from Thursday to Saturday, opening at 4:00pm.

Web Site: http://spiritofedmonton.com/hospitality-room/

2. Touchdown Manitoba

Like the Spirit of Edmonton, TD Manitoba is also a popular event and a must attend event for me at Grey Cup.

Themed after a prairie “social” this party features the flavor of Manitoba with a nice lunch featuring deli meats, cheese, pickles and Winnipeg Rye bread. Tickets are $15.00 at the door for this well attended event that will take place on Friday, November 26th.

HALL “C” at Shaw Conference Centre
9797 Jasper Avenue NW

1pm to 6pm

Web Site: http://www.touchdownmanitoba.com/social.php

3. The Lions Den

Yes, it makes the list mostly because it’s my home team’s party, but it also makes it because it’s a damn good party. Since 2006 the Lions Den has gotten better and better at Grey Cup and this years 2 day event should be no exception. The team has taken the event back to a hotel, The Fairmont Hotel MacDonald and live entertainment Two For The Show will once again be getting the dance floor going.

The event usually features an appearance by coach and GM Wally Buono, the Felions, owner David Braley and whatever Lions players might be in town. You can expect a few renditions of Roar You Lions Roar and a lot of orange and black at this party.

The Lions Den runs Friday, November 26th from 4:00pm t 10:00pm and Saturday, November 27th from 3:00om to 10:00pm.

Tickets are $10.00 at the door, and all attendees will receive a collectors pin from the event and have a chance to win some door prizes.

Web Site: http://www.bclions.com/page/lionsden

4. True Grid

We’ve blogged bout this play before, and it’s written my my good friend Linda Wood Edwards. You don’t get a chance to watch a funny and well written play at Grey Cup very often, and Linda’s play gives you the chance to do just that.

4 guys x 20 football seasons = 80 years of bonding, rituals, and winning. Subtract 1 guy, add a lovely stranger, and risk breaking the streak. Join these devoted fans as they lose and rediscover their faith during an ill-fated season. Superstitious fans of any team, not just the CFL, will relate to the roller coaster season portrayed in this comedy!

Not only do you get to see a great play, but net proceeds from the play will go to the CFL Alumni’s Dire Needs Fund. You have three chances to see the play during the week:

Stanley A. Milner Library Theatre

Wednesday, November 24th at 8:00pm
Thursday, November 25th at 6:00pm
Friday, November 26th at 5:00pm

Full information, including ticket info: http://www.lue42.com/truegrid2010/

5. A good room party

My Grey Cup trip isn’t complete without a good old fashioned room party. When the official parties shut down, those that can still function usually hit the hotel rooms. Don’t be surprised if you’re invited to a room party and meet some great folks in the process. You’ll hear some great stories from Grey Cups of the past. Room parties are a relaxing way to wind down a long day, before the sun comes up and you start all over again!

Of course there are a ton of other things going on, from street festivals, beer gardens, not to mention Tiger Town, The Double Blue Bash, Riderville, Stamps House, Als Huddle and so on and so on. It’s tough to get to everything, and these are just my personal favourites. Pace yourself and do as much as you can!

Leave a comment! Tell us your “must do” list for the 98th Grey Cup!

Official Events List

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Grey Cup 2009 – Day Two – State Of The League, Tweetup, Lions Den!

November 28, 2009 By Brian Wawryshyn

I am happy to report I am feeling much better than this time yesterday. I am not sure if that’s a good thing party wise, or if yesterday I was just too busy to get into too much trouble!

Friday was a busy day, starting with the first ever State Of The League address for the fans. This was an outstanding and ground breaking initiative by the league that had Commissioner Mark Cohon address fans on the state of the CFL in 2009 and field questions from them as well. The one hour event was emceed by Dave Randorf of TSN. Two hundred fans, invited by the league attended and posed some great questions for the commissioner. There were two great video presentations as well. One featuring the best highlights of 2009 and one celebrating the great history of the CFL and Grey Cup week in Canada, that choked a few people up in the crowd. If the event had a fault, it was two short at one hour, but I am sure Mark Cohon is a busy man, and the chance to hear him speak and to ask questions of him was a much appreciated one and from the sounds of it, this will be annual event at Grey Cups going forward. I just have to say, that as far as I am concerned, Mark Cohon is the best commissioner this league has ever had, and his innovative thinking is very refreshing.

stein_tweetup Following the event, and a bit to eat it was off to the first ever Grey Cup Tweetup, hosted by Jaime Stein (@jaimestein)of the CFL. Twitter folks like my self gathered at the Unicorn Pub and were treated to appetizers by the league as we put faces to the names of the people we follow, and that follow us on Twitter, which has become one of the most valuable social media tools on the internet. It was great to meet people such as @inthetunnel, @argobeth, @cfl_fan, @ridleyscouting and others. Tad Kornegay (@T2Dak) and Nik Lewis (@nikel18) who had a little “feud” on Twitter also stopped by and had some fun with all the Tweeps. Mark Cohon also attended and you can follow the commissioner on Twitter @canadiancommish.

After the tweetup, it was off to the Palomino Smokehouse, and the Lions Den party. When we arrived the place was packed. Lots of Lions fans were in attendance, as well as fans from all teams. Owner David Braley, coach Wally Buono, Lui Passaglia and Jamie Taras were there, and downstairs the popular Grey Cup band Two For The Show were keeping the dance floor full. This event is getting more popular year after year, and for that reason the team has decided to hold it over two nights this year. Admission is a reasonable $10.00, and you get a lanyard and a nice pin as well. I would like to see this party grow to the point where it could be hosted in a hotel ball room, as it was in Winnipeg in 2006. It’s always a fun time to get together with so many other Lions fans who come to Grey Cups. It’s like partying with your family! Special thanks to the Lions, and to Jacqueline Blackwell for granting me access to this event!

I ended the night at the Spirit of Edmonton as usual. The room was packed, and at one point the they had to stop letting people in. Legendary Canadian rockers Chilliwack took the stage and belted out hit after hit much to the delight of those in the crowd. I highly recommend that if you’re planning to attend the Spirit party Saturday night, you get there early.

My dogs were barking pretty loudly at me by the end of the night, so I retired for the evening. Today is another busy day, with much to see and do, starting with the Grey Cup parade.

Until the next blog, enjoy some of the sights from yesterday in today’s photo galleries! Adios CFL fans!

State Of The League Address

Lions Den Party

And we’re off! Night one from Grey Cup 2009!

November 27, 2009 By Brian Wawryshyn

Well, here I am in my hotel room, paying for last night’s fun with a heavy head. Cry me a river huh?

Grey Cup 2009 officially kicked off last night and as usual the regulars descended on the spirit of Edmonton for some good old fashioned national party fun. This year the spirit is at my hotel, The Westin. This is the first year I have stayed in the same hotel as the Spirit party, and I have to say, I like it. You pay a bit more but the convenience is outstanding, and this is a great hotel.

The first night at the Spirit is always a reuniting of old friends and a rekindling of the fellowship of CFL fans from coast to coast. All of them here for the same reasons; their love of Canadian football and to party the way only Grey Cup fans can.

If you’re here in Calgary, make sure to get to Spirit this week. There is no cover, and the drinks are reasonably priced at 8 drinks for $40.00. There is food available, and great live bands. Last night the outstanding lovely and talented Samantha King rocked the room, and Friday and Saturday night the band Chilliwack will headline.

The Grey Cup made an appearance, and fans flocked to have their pictures taken with the coveted and treasured trophy of Canadian football.

This morning I am off to the state of the league address with CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon, the first time that fans have been allowed to attend and I am really looking forward to it. Later is the Grey Cup CFL Tweetup and the LIONS DEN!

Until my next blog, here are some pictures from night one!