Despite the annual Labour Day Classic not taking place, Rider fans still flocked to Mosaic Stadium for Saskatchewan Roughrider Day.
The sold-out drive-through event saw 600 cars come through to celebrate the culture and spirit that is the Roughriders.
Miriam Johnson, Director of Marketing for the Roughriders, says that it was important to the team that, despite there being no game, fans still had the chance to show their spirit.
“We were able to look at this as an opportunity without a Labour Day Classic,” said Johnson. “Without that, it’s pretty neat to look at Saskatchewan Roughrider Day as a way to look back on 110 years of history, and really celebrate it.”
Johnson says that the organization was always planning to do something for the 110th anniversary of the team, but it just won’t be the same without football.
“I think (fans) missed football before, but I think that this day in particular, the level of the nostalgia of what this day has been for them as a province, and as a fan base has been tremendous,” said Johnson. “It’s unprecedented, this isn’t anything that we ever anticipated, so it’s sad, but we’re still here trying to celebrate.”
Riders Alum Steve Mazurak says that while he’d rather see the team on the field, it’s nice to still give fans something to look forward to.
“It’s nice that we get to feed the fanatic Saskatchewan Roughrider fans with an event because this is history, it’s our tradition, it’s the best thing that happens to the province every year,” said Mazurak. “So as Labour Day goes, so as the province goes.”