As part of Wednesday night’s kickoff party, the Grey Cup landed in Regina, officially starting the week of celebrations.

Saskatchewan Roughriders legend George Reed introduced and kicked things off.

“I’ve always been proud to be a Roughrider, and I am just as proud to joy you,” he said. “It gives me great pleasure to welcome the next generation and future of football to help kick off the celebration. I now declare the 2022 Grey Cup has officially begun.”

With things officially underway, today will bring the first full day of events and activities for people to check out.

The NexGen Energy Street Festival begins at Confederation Park from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The giant outdoor playground will include a football skills game, an interactive photo area, light-up seesaws, a giant tube slide, various giveaways and games like axe throwing, curling tables, relay games, a large inflatable football game and more, and warm-up stations as well.

The Esports Showcase will be at the Brandt Centre from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Local crews will battle it out and demonstrate the world of esports to school-aged kids visiting Grey Cup Festival.

The Digital Zone presented by Sasktel will continue at the Viterra International Trade Centre from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. after a preview last night with a head-to-head stage, field goal frenzy, pose with the pros, and a V/R-cade.

The SaskPower Family Fair at AffinityPlex from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. will kick off with inflatable fun, including a 90-foot-long mega bounce obstacle and a nine or 16-foot platform that people can take a leap of faith from. The Huddle in the Heartland will coincide with the fair and help grow the game of football. The hands-on, interactive event will include player-led drills, position breakdowns, and interactive skills competitions.

Gainers Heartland at Ag-Ex Building from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. will feature landscapes, hospitality and an opportunity to explore our Indigenous roots. The space will include:

• Interactive Indigenous games and artifacts.
• Face painting.
• A kids’ bouncy castle.
• Stuffy riders.
• Inflatable slides.

After Colin James kicked off the festival Wednesday night, the Harvard Media Community Stage at Confederation Park from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. will continue the music featuring JJ Voss at noon, ADEOLUWA at 4:10 p.m., Karissa Hoffart at 5:10 p.m., Justin LaBrash and True North at 6:10 p.m. and Teegan Littlechief at 7:10 p.m.

Today will also kick off Team Party Rooms (tickers required) at the Viterra International Trade Centre from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. and will also see the 2022 CFL Award hosted by Kate Beirness at the Conexus Arts Centre from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The night will wrap up with the NexGen Energy Drone Show at Confederation Park from 9 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The night sky above the festival will be illuminated by 300 drones working in formation to create a brilliant light show – the largest drone show ever flown in Canada.