The Saskatchewan Roughriders host the Edmonton Elks at Mosaic Stadium in Regina, SK, August 3, 2024. Photo Electric Umbrella/Derek Elvin
The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ looming home game against Edmonton will include Elks and elves.
It is all about celebrating Christmas in July — the theme of a CFL West Division contest that is slated for Friday, 7 p.m., at Mosaic Stadium.
“I had to do a little video for it,” Roughriders running back A.J. Ouellette says. “We did ‘guess what’s in the box?’ with Christmas and summer themes.
“It’s a fun little thing for our social media group.”
Hopefully, Ouellette has already loaded up on presents this week. He celebrated a milestone birthday (his 30th) on Sunday — one day after helping the Roughriders improve their record to 5-1 by defeating the host B.C. Lions 33-27.
Ouellette’s birthday takes place 158 days before Christmas, allowing plenty of breathing room between the two celebrations.
It is a different matter for Head Coach Corey Mace, whose next milestone birthday (40) is just three days in advance of Christmas (December version).
Having a birthday in such proximity to Dec. 25 could very well lead to the present deprivation or consolidation … right?
“I was always happy about the gifts,” Mace says. “I’m sure there were a couple of occasions when I maybe got short-changed.
“Nonetheless, some of the best times of the year are around Christmas — and you get a plus-one with a birthday there.
“I don’t know if Gainer is planning on putting on a hat or something out here (on Friday night), but I’m all for holiday spirit.
“If they’re going to bring that and the crowd’s going to be loud, there will be no ‘Bah! Humbug!’ from me.”
Nor will there be an objection from Joe Couch, who is accustomed to warm-weather Christmases.
The Roughriders’ genial Global punter hails from Australia, where summer runs from December to February.
How best to describe a typical Dec. 25 in the land down under?
“It’s hot,” Couch says. “The boys are always asking when the best time to go to Australia is and I say, ‘Look, December is just a party — the whole month of December.’
“It’s a beautiful month. Everybody is in a good mood. It’s stunning and we’re all feeling festive.”
Meanwhile, back in Canada, we’re all feeling frozen. That includes placekicker Brrrrrrr-ett Lauther.
“I was saying to Brett and the boys that I was thinking about staying in Canada (through Christmas),” Couch says. “They said, ‘Why would you do that? It’s going to be freezing cold.’
“You know … I’d like to have a cold Christmas.”
Just like in the storybooks and theatres.
“My favourite Christmas movie is Love Actually,” Couch continues. “It was set in England and there was snow and cold and hot drinks and cocoa and stuff like that.
“I’ve never experienced a White Christmas before. It’s in all the Americanized movies where it’s cold and snowy, like Home Alone.
“For us, it’s ‘get seafood, go to the beach, play a game of cricket.’ It has always been an Australian’s dream to have a White Christmas.”
Well … how about a Green and White Christmas on Friday?
Santa Claus will be present, of course, at a stadium that is decorated for the most festive of summer occasions.
The Rider Pep Band will play Christmas tunes as part of the pre-game festivities.
The second half will include a festive light show, in which fans can participate by downloading their Rider App and using their mobile phones.
Participation is also encouraged for “Dodging Snowballs” — an amended version of dodgeball, except with fake snowballs. There will also be a Christmas gift unwrapping game.
Christmas in July is presented by Purolator, which on Friday is holding its annual Tackle Hunger food drive at Mosaic Stadium. (For more information, CLICK HERE.)
