What you need to know for the Eagles concert

After months of anticipation, the Eagles will finally take the stage at Mosaic Stadium to help kick off the 100th edition of the Memorial Cup tournament.

A tailgate party will begin at 4 p.m. in Confederation Park, the gates at the stadium will open at 5 p.m. and the opening ceremonies will start at 7 p.m.

The American rock legends are set to hit the stage at 8:30 p.m. Thursday.

For those heading to the show, here are a few things for people to keep in mind.

Free transit available, parking passes needed to park at Brandt Centre

Similar to Rider games, the City of Regina will be offering free bus rides for those heading to the stadium.

The transit service will run from 5-8 p.m. and will resume after the concert at 10 p.m. until an hour after the show.

Pickup stations will be at Northgate, Southland and Victoria Square malls as well as Saskatchewan Drive at Hamilton Street and Sixth Avenue. People can also ride any transit bus for free with their concert ticket.

If you’re planning on driving to the show, you’ll need to purchase a parking pass. There will be no general on-site parking for the concert.

Elphinstone Street around the stadium will close at 3 p.m. that day,

A bike valet will also be available.

Tailgate party at Confederation Park

Before the show gets underway, a party in the park will be available for anyone who wants to head down early.

The party will begin at 4 p.m., hosted by Adam Growe of Cash Cab fame in Confederation Park. It will feature live music, prizes and photo opportunities.

Saskatchewan comedian Brent Butt will also be at the kickoff in the park before taking the stage to host the events before the Eagles play.

Opening ceremonies to include Humboldt Broncos tribute

As part of the festivities, there will also be a special tribute to the Humboldt Broncos performed by local musician Jack Semple and the Regina Symphony Orchestra.

Butt, who is from Tisdale, said it’s hard to wrap your head around such a tragedy.

“It’s just beyond me how anybody can expect to process that level of tragedy, you just got to, I don’t know, put your head down, keep your legs pumping and try to get through life, but it’s outside my scope of understanding,” he said.

Butt said as a comic, he’s spent the last 35 years on the road, driving across Canada.

“Sometimes it’s in the middle of winter, in less than ideal conditions, so being on the road, in this country, especially during the winter, it’s always a risk. Then something like this happens and it really drills it home,” he said.

Jack Semple also reflected on how it was heartwarming to see the international outpouring of support and empathy in the wake of the Humboldt tragedy.

“To try to express some compassion and love for the people who were affected and the families,” Semple said.

He said he hopes the song will mean something to people.

Festivities to include NHL greats and military

A special red-carpet event will take place at 5 p.m. at the AGT Lounge inside Mosaic Stadium. The event will feature many famous names including NHL hockey greats and representatives from the Canadian military and CHL.

The opening ceremonies will also celebrate the 1oo year history of the Memorial Cup and include a historical tribute to the Regina Pats highlighting the team’s connection to the military.

At 7 p.m. Jess Moskaluke and Chad Brownlee will perform before the Eagles. There will be guest appearances by Canadian hockey icons, the four teams contending in the tournament. The Snowbirds air demonstration squad are also scheduled to do a fly-by.