A flag flew on Monday without a penalty being assessed or, in fact, the slightest indiscretion.
The City of Regina hoisted a Saskatchewan Roughriders flag outside City Hall to commemorate the 60th Labour Day Classic, which is to be held Sunday when the Winnipeg Blue Bombers visit Mosaic Stadium.
“The Labour Day Classic isn’t just a football game,” Mayor Chad Bachynski said. “It’s a tradition, a rite of passage, and a declaration of who we are — passionate, resilient and proudly green.
“As the Rider flag flies high at City Hall and all across the Albert Street Bridge, it’s more than a fabric. It’s a symbol of our community spirit, our shared history, and our fierce love for the Green and White.
“This week, I invite every citizen of Regina to paint the town green. Let your home, your business and your heart reflect the pride we feel for our team.
“Whether it’s jerseys, face paint or a Rider flag in your window, let’s show the world what Rider Nation is made of.”
That statement is already being made rather emphatically.
More than 34,000 tickets, including standing-room spaces, have been sold for Sunday’s clash of traditional CFL rivals.
The largest crowd in the history of new Mosaic Stadium, which officially opened in 2017, is a certainty. The previous high-water mark of 33,861 was established last year.
As of late Tuesday morning, fewer than 200 standing-room tickets remained for the looming milestone matchup.
“We always say that it’s a city the size of Moose Jaw that attends Rider games,” Roughriders President-CEO Craig Reynolds marvelled.
“The support we get is just amazing. We never take it for granted.”
The sellout will be the second in a row for the Roughriders, who sold all 33,350 permanent seats for an Aug. 16 home date with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Saskatchewan enters Sunday’s showdown with a league-best 8-2 record. The Calgary Stampeders are close behind at 7-3, followed by Winnipeg (6-4).
Adding to the anticipation, the Roughriders and Blue Bombers — who have met in three of the past five Western Finals — have yet to play one another this season.
“We’re off to one of the best starts in Club history and the plan is to hopefully keep rolling through the rest of the season,” Reynolds said.
“As we know, the games get super-important down the stretch, starting with the Labour Day Classic.”
The importance of the game — and the Roughriders in general — has long been evident to Bachynski.
His late grandfather, Dr. Borden Bachynski, was a Club director, honorary director and patron at various points in his distinguished career. He also served on the medical committee.
“I remember being very little when my grandma (Margaret) and grandpa had season tickets,” Mayor Bachynski said. “Us as grandkids, we’d be at every game we could get to.
“This is a part of my childhood. To be here today to celebrate in this capacity is pretty special.”
