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February 12, 2014

Roar on the Shore

BCLions.com Staff

While preparations for the 102nd Grey Cup Festival slated for Vancouver the week of November 30th have been underway since the BC Lions secured the hosting rights to Canada’s largest sporting event last March, the club took time out this morning to reveal the much-anticipated festival logo.

Vancouver Deputy Mayor Tim Stevenson kicked off the morning announcements by relaying Mayor Gregor Robertson’s message of support for the week-long celebration of Canadian football.

“Vancouver has proven itself to be an exceptional host city during both the 2010 Winter Games and the 2005 and 2011 Grey Cup celebrations, and we are always proud to welcome Canada and the world,” said Mayor Gregor Robertson. “It’s great to have the Grey Cup coming back to Vancouver, both as another big celebration of football in our city and an opportunity to welcome visitors from all across Canada. I know that 2014’s Grey Cup will be the best yet!”

Grey Cup co-chairs Michael Graydon and Bill Weymark then announced this year’s 13-member Grey Cup Committee tasked with the challenge of creating another memorable event after the incredible success of the 2005 and 2011 festivals.

“These are some of the best and the brightest from our business community and we are grateful for their generous donation of time and effort in helping to put on what will be another historic event for Vancouverites, British Columbians and Canadians from coast to coast,” said Weymark.    

In addition to introducing the committee, Graydon and Weymark also announced the festival’s growing roster of sponsors including: TELUS, PlayNow.com, CN, Canadian Direct Insurance, Regus, beVancouver.com, Sun Life Financial, Reebok, Kubota, MBNA , Dash Tours and Pinty’s.

“As has been noted in the past, the support of Grey Cup Festival partners will undoubtedly be the cornerstone of our overall success and we thank them for joining us today, said Graydon.

“The challenge of staging an event of this size and scope just three years after hosting an incredible festival in 2011 will be immense,” noted Weymark. “Thanks in large part to these outstanding partners, I believe we’ll raise the bar once again.”

TELUS will be the title partner of the Grey Cup Street Fest which will operate from Thursday, Nov. 27th to Saturday, November 29th.

“TELUS shares in the incredible passion Canadians have for football and we are thrilled to sponsor the Grey Cup Festival for our fifth consecutive year,” said Andrea Goertz, Chief Communications and Sustainability Officer, TELUS. “We are excited to bring new energy to this year’s event in Vancouver by connecting fans to the sport they love through fun and unique experiences.”

Through PlayNow.com, BCLC has renewed its involvement in the Grey Cup Festival for a third consecutive time in Vancouver building on their key support of the 2005 and 2011 events.

“The Grey Cup is one of Canada’s premier sports events and we’re thrilled to play a role in what will be a very exciting Grey Cup celebration,” said Rhonda Garvey, Vice President, eGaming, BCLC. “PlayNow.com proudly supports the BC Lions and we look forward to sharing this iconic Canadian tradition with football fans once again through the Grey Cup Street Festival in Vancouver.”                                                     

Grey Cup Festival GM Jamie Pitblado then unveiled the 102nd Grey Cup Festival brand, Roar on the Shore created by defensive lineman Keron Williams. The Grey Cup trophy-inspired logo also incorporates the Lions’ colours as well as unique west coast elements such as the Pacific Ocean and mountains.

“Keron’s reimagining of the festival brand has brilliantly captured the spirit of this year’s celebration,” said Pitblado. “The unprecedented growth in popularity of the CFL, the BC Lions and of course, past Grey Cup festivals have taken this annual celebration of our game to new heights and Keron’s unique design underlines the evolution of the club and the league.”  

Pitblado also laid out the schedule of events for the festival which will have something for everyone to enjoy.

“We are very excited to have the Grey Cup Festival returning to Vancouver for an astounding 16th time,” said Pitblado. “To be playing host so soon after our last event not only speaks to the ability of our Grey Cup Committee and support of our partners, it also demonstrates the commitment to our community by BC Lions owner David Braley as we prepare to welcome the nation and Roar on the Shore this November.”

Events slated during the 2014 Grey Cup Festival include:
•    Grey Cup Festival kickoff (Wednesday, November 26)
•    Gibson’s Finest Player Awards (Thursday, November 27)
•    TELUS Street Fest (Thursday, November 27 – Saturday, November 29)
•    Grey Cup Festival beer garden (Thursday, November 27 – Saturday, November 29)
•    Team Parties (Thursday, November 27 – Saturday, November 29)
•    Grey Cup Festival Carnival (Thursday, November 27 – Saturday, November 29)
•    CFL Alumni lunch (Friday, November 28)
•    Canadian Football Hall of Fame night (Friday, November 28)
•    Grey Cup Festival Parade (Saturday, November 29)
•    Grey Cup Festival Gala (Saturday, November 29)
•    Sun Life Fan March (Sunday, November 30)
•    Pre-game tailgate party (Sunday, November 30)
•    102nd Grey Cup Championship (Sunday, November 30)