Regina’s City Hall raises Rider flag ahead of Labour Day Classic

The Green and White will be flying high outside of Regina City Hall ahead of Sunday’s 60th annual Labour Day classic.

On Monday, the City of Regina hoisted the flag of the Saskatchewan Roughriders ahead of Sunday’s game.

The flag will also be raised along the Albert Street bridge.

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“It means a lot,” said Craig Reynolds, president and CEO of the Riders.

“We know it’s an important week on the calendar… And just to see the flag here waving at City Hall, and then as you drive down Albert Street, (knowing) many folks will be making that trek on game day–it just shows the pride that the city and obviously the whole province has for the football team and it means a lot for us to to have this. It doesn’t happen very often. It’s a pretty special moment.”

Gainer the Gopher, Craig Reynolds, Mayor Chad Bachynski, Riders running back A.J. Oulette and Riders linebacker Jameer Thurman at the flag-raising ceremony. (Daniel Reech/980 CJME)

Reynolds said the game was sold out and would feature the largest crowd for a Riders game ever assembled at the new Mosaic Stadium, with more than 34,000 people expected in attendance.

“This is the one game where you know you’re going to get some fans from East of us as well, but you know Rider Nation is going to show up from all across Canada, really, and certainly from all four corners of this province,” Reynolds said.

Mayor Chad Bachynski encouraged everyone in the city to show their Rider pride–whether through wearing face paint, jerseys or putting a flag on their window.

Mayor Chad Bachynski stands with the Riders’ mascot, Gainer the Gopher, at the flag-raising ceremony. (Daniel Reech/980 CJME)

The mayor said he was very excited for the city to be part of the festivities.

“It’s a staple. We have the best fans in the CFL, hands down. Our fans, our residents, take pride in the Riders, and this weekend is kind of the peak of that,” he said.

Bachynki said the Labour Day Classic has always had a profound impact on Saskatchewan’s community and also provided a boost to Regina’s economy.

The mayor also said he had a personal connection to the game as well.

“I remember being very little when my grandpa and grandma had season tickets and we as grandkids would be at every game we could get to,” Bachynski said.

“Growing up, this has been part of my childhood and to be here today to celebrate in this capacity is pretty special.”

The 8-2 Riders will be facing the 6-4 Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the time-honoured annual bout. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. The Green Zone pregame show begins at 3 p.m