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Home , Banjo Bowl, BC Lions, Calgary Stampeders, Canad Inns Stadium, CFL on CBC, Grey Cup

During Regina’s Classic and ’s , it’s the fans who really know how to get in the game

by John Campbell

he air is perfumed with the scent of booze, tobacco smoke and a Getting Tmore pungent leafy substance. Wayne’s World, a pri- vate home and party central near their Regina’s Taylor Field at Mosaic , is rocking. Painted faces and beating drums greet a fleet of buses from Winnipeg that are disgorging foot soldiers into the kicks fray. Dressed in blue and gold, these clansmen have arrived from their stronghold 570 kilo- metres to the east. It’s Labour Day

2008 and the siege has begun. 

Saskatchewan Roughriders westworld >> Summer 2009 27 Sides have clearly been chosen as insults (here and opposite) rain through the warm air. “Riders suck!” Roughrider and Winnipeg Blue Bomber fans cries one out-of-towner. “Bombers suck!” alike gather for the annual echoes back a swift if not particularly Labour Day tussle at Regina’s inspired reply. The bravado is a necessary (shown, previous page). prelude to the fact that, in a few hours, titans in shoulder pads will be pushing, shoving and thunderclapping into one another on the turf of Mosaic Stadium. Blood will, in all likelihood, flow. Bones may break. Great fun for the whole family, actually. Traditions usually are. And when it comes to prairie traditions, few dip back further guaranteed a 100 per cent occupancy level for than the annual Labour Day weekend tilt that Friday, Saturday and Sunday,” she says. between the League’s With rates running to $200 per night, the and Saskatchewan numbers pile up like beefy atop a Roughriders, staged nearly every year since quicksilver . 1950 in Regina. “The Labour Day game has taken on a The second-most anticipated game in life of its own,” says Roughrider president the CFL schedule, for fans in Canada’s west- and CEO . He happily admits ern heartland at least, the Labour Day Clas- that the event’s success is a fan-driven phe- sic has evolved into nothing less than a mini nomenon that requires nothing in the way – particularly so in 2008 when the of promotion from the club. “Our biggest game was a rematch of the 2007 final won by challenge is filling demand for tickets.” the Riders. The electric atmosphere, throngs Local interest was particularly high last of visiting fans, pageantry and high drama year as the defending cup champion Riders suggest the afternoon’s clash is more than a compiled a 6-2 win/loss record by the mere football game. Indeed, it’s a battle for of August despite an unbelievable rash of Feuding, it seems, is good bus iness as the faithful criss-cross the provinces to fill each other’s . bragging rights between two very similar misfortune and economic reality checks. football-mad province (and never more so lavish display. Elvis is here along with aliens, surrounding Mosaic Stadium, of course, but argued that the Saskatchewan Roughrid- small-market franchises whose sometimes Injuries had decimated the team’s starting than at Classic time, when merchandise the infamous Watermelon Heads and unique putting the brakes on festivities attended ers are Canada’s team. An exodus from the not-so-friendly feud is a metaphor for the receiver corps. Former head coach Kent sales top a quarter million dollars in a single “fan-thing” creatures adorned in team by an intimate group of 30,985 is a tricky job province during the economic downturns determination and spirited work-hard/play- Austin had jumped ship in the off-season weekend, according to CEO Hopson). colours. As DJs provide a booming backbeat – one that Winnipeg has struggled with too. of the and ’90s means that there are hard ethic of prairie people themselves. to take a job at his alma mater, Mississippi The faithful work themselves up to a of classic rock and hip hop, there’s even an “Tailgate parties themselves aren’t illegal, as now Saskatchewanians in every CFL city The gridiron rivalry has breathed colour State. And all-star near-religious pitch prior to the Bombers’ undeniable sexual tension in the air – defi- long as there is no consumption of alcohol,” from to . The Rider into the early fall, pride of place into the cities had been moved to the Argonauts arrival in town. Indeed, one fan from deep nitely so in that part of the stands where an Winnipeg Police spokeswoman Constable diaspora turns stadiums across the country and considerable dollars into local economies to free up room in the operating budget. inside the Grain Belt, identifying himself attractive young woman is wearing a T-shirt Jacqueline Chaput told the CBC, when author- green when their team rolls into town – an for nearly 60 years. Sellouts are all but guar- (The CFL mandates a $4.2-million salary only as Prophet, called in to an AM radio that boasts “Blue Girls Do It Better.” ities in the capital announced estimated 10,000 Rider fans invaded Cal- anteed now for the Regina contest as well as cap for its eight franchises, and retaining show before last year’s game to connect the There is always the possibility that plans in 2007 to curb the pre-game alcohol- gary’s McMahon Stadium during a 2008 the return bout the following weekend in the services of the league’s 2007 MVP would dots. The Riders’ recent spate of injuries was things might turn chaotic, of course. Over fuelled Banjo Bowl tailgate parties. “Anyone game, for instance. Winnipeg (a.k.a. the Banjo Bowl). Feuding, have eliminated the wriggle room the Rid- like the biblical trials of Job, he said. And, as in a parking lot, where barbecues roast meat found to be consuming alcohol [in parking Throwing a wet blanket on that kind of it seems, is good business as the faithful criss- ers needed to acquire other vital players.) Job was rewarded by God for his persever- and tailgate parties are in full swing, a trio of lot areas] may receive an offence notice under free-spending, ticket-buying demographic cross the provinces to fill each other’s stadi- Despite these challenges, the Riders sim- ance and faith in the face of adversity, so too young men from Winnipeg are doing their the Liquor Control Act.” Those words do not would be flatly anti-entrepreneurial. In any ums, restaurants, bars and hotels. ply kept winning (and would win again this would He redeem the Riders. best to torch a T-shirt bearing a slogan offen- deter serious revellers, and stadium security event, a total clampdown is likely not fea- “Is there a spike in business on Labour day by a 19-8 score, extending their Classic Before the 2008 kickoff, the atmosphere sive to Bomber ideals. Their failure to do so and law enforcement officers tread a fine sible, especially not in Regina. Winnipeg’s Day?” Kay Koot asks rhetorically. “Every hotel to four straight). Consistent at Mosaic Stadium is part carnival, part rouses equal measures of scorn and support line between tolerating the fun and keeping Stadium, which is surrounded in the city will say ‘yes.’ ” The general manager sellouts, buoyed by a league-high 22,500 Roman encampment. All due credit goes to a from bystanders dressed in Rider Green and the environment safe for all fans, including by light industry and controllable shop- of the tony 235-room Regina Inn and Hotel season ticket holders, has created a play- new generation of fans that is far “less inhib- Bomber Blue. Then good-natured smiles the very young and very old – both of whom ping centre parking lots, can be patrolled Conference Centre has worked in high-end ing environment arguably unlike anything ited” than their forebears, observes Hopson break out all round as the trio give up their generally mingle quite peacefully among more readily. In Regina, on the other hand, accommodations in New York and Toronto else in Canadian professional sports. “Team with some understatement. Capes, bangles efforts and return to their cans of beer hid- even the noisiest knots of juiced-up yahoos. residential homes in established neighbour- but has never encountered the hue and cry Green” T-shirts, hats and jackets are almost and beads, full-body paint and outland- den in hand-held styrofoam coolers. If it’s true that the are hoods trim the apron of Mosaic Stadium. that accompanies this fierce matchup. “We’re mandatory fashion statements in this ish costumes speak to the human need for Alcohol is banned in the public places “America’s Team,” then it can be readily This brings a significant X-factor into play,

28 westworld >> Summer 2009 (both pages) John Campbell westworld >> Summer 2009 29 including Wayne’s World, the most visible, Western Senators, says these unscripted possibly largest tailgater of them all. events in his backyard have humble ori- Wayne’s World is a modest bungalow gins. “It happened by accident one year,” he on Mosaic Stadium’s west side, at best a explains. “I was sitting here with a friend stone’s throw from the entry gates. The when these guys came by and said they had (here and opposite) In early fall, hard-nosed baby boomers, the home belongs to Wayne Kuntz, who for the nowhere to party and could they join us.” iconoclastic YouTube generation past four years has entertained a large, free- The guys in question were Winnipeg resi- and even preschool squeakers flowing contingent of primarily Winnipeg dents Brett Sylvester and Ken Burns, who meet on friendly turf where the common denominator is football.

fans with canned music, door prizes and a had rolled into town with a small entou- of alcohol is technically prohibited. (All-Star Regina has curtailed seats open to operators voltage. Others actually hunker down as lively but relaxed conviviality that allows rage of family and friends. “Wayne told us, Tours’ policy paper spells that out.) such as All-Star Tours. Elvis is though this impromptu gig had been their for the downing of pre-game beers and the ‘Yeah, bring your friends. C’mon and have Still, the Labour Day run is an unbridled Kitty-corner to Wayne’s World, a rock- original destination. LTBT’s unexpected venting of pro-Bomber sentiments. Telltale a drink,’ ” recalls Sylvester. hit that last year saw the company pack six abilly trio has set up on the front lawn of here along presence here deepens a well-founded con- tendrils of reefer smoke thread their way This introduction sparked a standing Regina-bound buses, each bearing 52 pas- another private home and is serenading the viction that the is not through the youngish crowd at Wayne’s. friendship and the debut of a new business. sengers at a per-head cost of $289 (includes masses with a medley of cranked-up, Dick with aliens, essentially about football, but rather about While Canadian social scientists and law Burns and Sylvester now operate All-Star transportation, two nights hotel lodging, a Dale-style instrumentals. The Regina band the fans themselves. “Marketing genius” courts have wrestled with this bugbear Tours, which specializes in shuttling bus- T-shirt and game ticket). The expeditions Let There Be Theremin describe their sound Watermelon cannot create this kind of atmosphere. It is and its impact on society, there seems little loads of ’Peggers to Regina for the big game. appear to have the full endorsement of the as “skapunksurfabilly,” and their thumping Heads and organic to the core. point in denying that marijuana is an atten- These fans off-load at what is now known as Bomber organization. “Jeff [Bannon] from bass lines, note-jumping lead guitar and “The highlight of that gig was having dant component of outdoor cultural events, Wayne’s World, and there they party until the Bomber shop meets us in Brandon effusive drumming create a downright “fan-thing” some guy from Winnipeg with full Bomber including the Labour Day Classic. it’s time to filter into the stadium. The bus with lots of giveaways,” says Sylvester. The surreal mood. The Mosaic-bound fans regalia and an accordion jump over the picket Kuntz, a bass player with Regina’s ride across the prairies is itself a rolling bac- only downside: Limited ticket availability. turn giddier still as they pause to soak up creatures. fence and jam with us,” says LTBT guitarist Grammy-nominated polka band, the chanal – though, again, the consumption The unprecedented sale of season tickets in the music and ramp up their own internal Dave Kapp. “Skapunksurfabilly knows no

30 westworld >> Summer 2009 (both pages) John Campbell westworld >> Summer 2009 31 boundaries.” Stand-up bassist Darren Regina rockabillies, Let There Stovin agrees that the first Sunday of Be Theremin, crank out the tunes for Mosaic-bound fans. September is infused with a rare party atmosphere. “Taylor Field is always electric but never more so than on that need to be taken. “We have Labour Day,” explains Stovin. It starts to make sure we don’t book one with the Bomber fans. “Thousands group of fans next to fans from travel from Winnipeg for the week- the other team,” she says. “We end. Regina Inn is more like a zoo. don’t want somebody climbing Flags are hanging from the balconies over the balcony to tear down and fans are blowing their horns out the win- Kay Koot. While the weekend is essentially the other guy’s flag. That’s happened!” dows and raising a ruckus all night.” fun and features its own obvious economic True enough, confesses the Regina Inn’s advantages, there are “necessary precautions” and the fans twanged on The understands the value of regional rivalries and has scheduled four sets of them on the last weekend of the summer in recent years. Also butting helmets during Labour Day Classics: the Stampeders and the Eskimos renew the fierce “Battle of ”; the travel to Hamilton to face the Tiger-Cats; and the BC Lions either host or visit the (though this matchup, by CFL standards, is less a feud and more an ongo- ing snit). League slogans such as “watch the team you love play the team you love to hate” fuel passions. And a smart back-to- back, home-and-away game policy keeps them burning for at least a fortnight. The Bomber/Rider game, held nearly every year since 1950 in Regina, sets the stage for a return engagement the follow- ing weekend in Winnipeg. The rivalry has always been intense, but in 2003 hostilities ramped up thanks to the Bombers’ free- spirited kicker . Rider fans are “a bunch of banjo-picking inbreds,” opined Westwood, himself a Saskatchewan- born product. The fallout was predictable, and the Winnipeg player showed contrition. “I was wrong to make such a statement and I’d like to apologize,” he told the media. “The vast majority of people in Saskatchewan have no idea how to play the banjo.” Meeting irony with irony, Rider fans brought banjo-like props to the next game in Winnipeg. Bomber brass, realizing money couldn’t buy this kind of marketing, promptly billed the 2004 post- Labour Day engagement with the Riders as the “Banjo Bowl.” The feud continues and the

name has stuck.  ­— J . C .

32 westworld >> summer 2009 John Campbell