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The Labour Day Classic lived up to its reputation this weekend, with Rider Nation turning Mosaic Stadium and its parking lots into a festival of costumes, food, and friendly rivalries.
For longtime fan Steve Owens, the tradition started more than two decades ago when he and his friends bought an old Coke truck that had been converted into a motorhome.
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It became the centrepiece of their annual tailgate, complete with bratwurst, deep-fried wings and coolers packed with drinks.
The Owens family motorhome has been part of the Labour Day Classic for more than 20 years, bringing both Rider and Bomber fans together. (Jacob Bamhour/980 CJME)
“We bought an old Coke truck that had been converted into a motorhome, and we’ve been tailgating ever since then; lots of fun with me and my buddies, and now all their kids too,” Owens said.
His son Jackson Milton-Owens grew up in that environment. He said some of his best childhood memories come from being around the tailgate even before he was old enough to go into the stadium.
“Coming to the motorhome as long as I can remember; that was one of my favourite memories,” Jackson said, adding Labour Day for him means Pilsners, seltzers and tossing a few jokes toward visiting Winnipeg fans.
Not far away, Steven Cormons — better known as Captain Harvey Rider — drew plenty of attention in his homemade pirate gear. His costume was born more than a decade ago after hearing The Last Saskatchewan Pirate played at a game.
“They played The Last Saskatchewan Pirate, and I looked around; there’s no pirates here. So my wife made me an outfit, gave me the name Captain Harvey Rider, and I’ve been doing it ever since,” he explained.
Cormons, who travels from North Battleford, calls the Classic the best game of the year.
Costumes were a theme. Andy Cook sported a poncho and sombrero he picked up on trips to Mexico.
Rider fan Andy Cook makes his sombrero and poncho part of his annual Labour Day Classic tradition. (Jacob Bamhour/980 CJME)
“I bought one, found a sombrero to go with it, and I started wearing it every Labor Day weekend,” Cook said. “It’s usually a sellout and it’s the biggest game of the year. The atmosphere is just great.”
Bomber fans were outnumbered but visible at Mosaic Stadium on Sunday, but Connolly Gamble stood proud in a sea of Rider green. (Jacob Bamhour/980 CJME)
While green dominated the festivities, pockets of blue were visible too. Bomber fan Connolly Gamble said the rivalry is what makes the weekend worth the trip.
“It’s a great experience to get to see the two fan bases collide, and it’s a fun time,” he said. Gamble predicted Winnipeg would edge Saskatchewan 33-30.
Whether in green or blue, fans agreed the Labour Day Classic is about more than football; it’s about tradition, atmosphere and community.
Fans crowd into the “Party in the Park” tailgate outside Mosaic Stadium ahead of the Labour Day Classic. (Jacob Bamhour/980 CJME)
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