Record staff
The Courtenay Centennial Homecoming Week kicks off with a bang on June 27 at the Comox Valley Sports Centre and the Comox Valley Record is getting on board in a big way.
The day starts with a sports festival, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with football and soccer games from the respective Comox Valley minor league teams, as well as a Comox Valley Glacier Kings road hockey game.
There will be CFL alumni in attendance, including ex-B.C. Lions greats Cory Philpot and Jim “Dirty 30” Young, as well as former Edmonton Eskimo kicker Dave Cutler.
The football theme continues at 3 p.m. as the Comox Valley has its first-ever official Tailgate Party, and the Record is turning it into a fundraiser for the Centennial Legacy Endowment Fund.
“We are bringing in a dunk tank, and getting as many Comox Valley dignitaries as we can to sit in the ‘chair’ for charity,” said Record editor Terry Farrell. “Mayor Jangula and many of the councillors have already committed to taking a turn in the tank. All funds raised will go to the endowment fund, so it’s a great cause.”
Farrell said he will take his turn on the chair as well, giving local politicians - and anyone else - a chance at revenge.
The tailgate party precedes the CFL season opener, featuring one of the league’s great rivalries - the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
“We will have prizes for best costumes - there’s sure to be some ‘melon heads’ out there - maybe some banjo-picking fans,” said Record reporter Erin Haluschak, in reference to the famous Banjo Bowl.
It’s not too late for other companies to get involved.
“We are putting the challenge out for other companies to develop their own fundraiser for the Centennial Legacy Endowment Fund at the Tailgate Party,” said Farrell. “This will be a great, affordable way for the entire community to be a part of the legacy.”
Everyone who contributes to the dunk tank fundraiser will also be entered into a draw for Centennial t-shirts.
The CFL game itself will be shown on a jumbo screen and the BC Lions Felions Dance Team will be on hand for a Courtenay exclusive halftime show.
And what would a tailgate party be without a chili cookoff?
Entries are still being accepted for the Great Courtenay Chili Cookoff, with a grand prize of $500.
To book your free parking spot for the tailgate party, or to sign up for the chili cookoff, go to courtenay.ca/100