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Banjo-pickers throw good parties
Commentary
by Jason Antonio
the Carillon
For being a bunch of banjo-picking inbreds whose next door neighbour is Joe Dirt, the people of Regina put on one of the biggest and best (week-long) parties that this province has ever seen. People from all over came to party with friends and strangers throughout the Queen City. This was well before a pass was thrown in the anticipated Grey Cup game at Taylor Field, which featured two of the best quarterbacks in the league. However, all Rider Priders agree that this game was not as anticipated as it should have been! Oh well, there’s always next year.
To have a party, two things are needed that will make the party memorable and entertaining: booze and music. There was, without a doubt, no lack of either ingredient during Grey Cup week. A person could get served a beer at 7 o’clock in the morning somewhere downtown and be almost or totally drunk by 8:30 am, if they so wished. After that it was a nice waltz, or stumble, down the street to the Casino or any hotel, where more fun could be found. However, if a place served beer until 2 or 3 in the morning, such as at “Riderville” or the “Spirit of Edmonton Hospitality Suite,” then most people probably weren’t up at 7 a.m. the next day, they were still probably sleeping . . . or hung over.
One must not forget, though, that along with the flow of alcohol, there was also the sound of music to be heard; no, Julie Andrews did not make an appearance in Regina. Bands such as Great Big Sea, The Tea Party, Wide Mouth Mason, and Big Sugar rocked the Grey Cup nightlife, satisfying most people’s musical tastes, while at the same time capping off enjoyable evenings for all. Even some of the bars in town had musical guests pay a visit, with the warehouse district getting in on the musical action as well. The District was one of the other hot spots to visit, as it was close to the downtown area.
However, one cannot overlook the fact that other events and activities were happening in the city, taking place far enough away from all the drunken revelry but still close enough to be walked to from downtown. There were breakfasts held, family fun days, award nights for CFL players and fans, hall of fame football museums, flag football championships, the Playboy playmates at the Casino, in the flesh, and other, just as interesting events, like the Ottawa Renegades Beaver Bash.
For six days Regina partied like it was 1999. People partied hard and long, with complete strangers by their sides most of the time, every step of the way. No one can say that the week wasn’t interesting; it had something for everyone. Unless you were hiding under a rock or finishing your Computer Science 270 homework, Grey Cup week was the event of the year for all banjo-players and inbreds alike. TOUCHDOWN!
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