Moosomin finalist for Rider Nation Community Celebration

August 20, 2013, 1:56 am
Kevin Weedmark

Moosomin is one of eight finalists for the Rider Nation Community Celebration, and has a chance to win $50,000 toward improvements to the Communiplex and Bradley Park, and $10,000 toward a massive Grey Cup party. Which town wins depends on which can motivate the most people to show their support online.

The contest was planned to determine which community in Saskatchewan has the most 101st Grey Cup Festival spirit. The Grey Cup Festival Committee has selected Moosomin as one of the top eight communities, and online voting will determine the winner. People can cast their ballots at 101greycupfestival.ca

The winning community will take home $50,000 for a local project, while second and third prize winners will receive $25,000 each to support health/wellness projects or initiatives in their community.

Along with the prize money, this contest will end with a celebration in each of the winning communities, with $10,000 from Richardson Pioneer to go toward the party.

Moosomin is one of 29 communities that entered the contest, a number that surprised organizers.

“We were hoping for 12 to 14 (communities),” says Craig Fiske, who chairs the volunteer committee looking after the contest. “When we had more than twice that—29 entries—we were thrilled. It’s a testament to how much this event, and the Riders, mean to all of Saskatchewan and also a testament to the great work done by the volunteers who put the contest together.”

Fiske says the intent of the contest is to make sure that the rest of Saskatchewan has an opportunity to share in the Grey Cup experience. “The big game may be in Regina, but without question this Grey Cup Festival belongs to the entire province,” he says.
Rec Director Mike Schwean prepared Moosomin’s entry for the contest, sending in photos, newspaper clippings and details on community celebrations and events that highlight the town’s community spirit.

“This contest is a great initiative to engage communities from every corner of Saskatchewan to demonstrate their passion for the Riders and their community,” said Roughriders President/CEO Jim Hopson. “We hope this will create excitement throughout the province, bring Rider fans in communities together and, ultimately benefit communities through the Legacy prize

Fan voting is now open and will close September 11. The top three winning communities will be announced at the September 14th Roughrider home game.