Political rallies are quite different in the COVID-19 era.
Instead of a room packed full of supporters cheering and clapping, the Saskatchewan Party on Thursday gathered its supporters in the parking lot at the Turvey Centre in north Regina.
It was called the “Big Honkin’ Rally for a Strong Saskatchewan.”
About 200 vehicles were lined up, spaced six feet apart from each other. Sask. Party leader Scott Moe and Regina University candidate Tina Beaudry-Mellor spoke to the people in attendance, who honked their horns as a way of applauding.
Candidates, volunteers and strong supporters alike showed up.
Attendees were glad to be able to have some kind of a replacement for usual rallies.
“It’s a smart idea, I think. You’re still away from each other, you’re still isolated to your own area, but you can still sort of trick your brain into thinking you’re all together again,” one man said.
“It’s nice to be able to get together in a safe sort of way. We’re still wearing face masks and everything … It’s just good all around,” another man agreed.
While most were glad to gather, there was a consensus that it’s not identical to previous events.
“It’s definitely not the same, but we are prepared to make some changes as we go forward … I am grateful that we still are able to go to things in a safe way,” one Sask. Party supporter said.
It is the home stretch, as the provincial election is Monday. Some supporters thought it was good timing to keep voters excited to head to the polls.
“It’s good to energize people right ahead of the election,” one man said.
While the temperatures were hovering around the -5 C mark with a wind chill cracking -10, most people stayed in their vehicles, both to stay warm and to keep up with physical distancing.
Supporters were excited, and so was Moe.
“It’s always good to get fired up yourself and hopefully get some people around you fired up,” he said to reporters after the rally.
A second rally in the same style is set for Saskatoon on Friday.