4-game winning streak has Blue Bomber fans riding blue wave to Riderville
Winnipeg Blue Bombers take on Saskatchewan Roughriders at Mosaic Stadium Sunday
When the Winnipeg Blue Bombers take to the field in Riderville on Sunday, Kevin Dodge will be at the game donning a blue and gold kilt and his favourite jersey.
The super fan from Niverville, Man., is among a crew of eight heading to Saskatchewan this weekend to take in the annual CFL Labour Day Classic between the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
"It's like a mini Grey Cup if you will," said the lifelong Bomber fan. "Contrary to, you know, what might be this hatred between Rider fans and Bomber fans, honestly, in the tailgating, in the parking lot, five, six hours beforehand, it's a whole bunch of camaraderie and an adult costume party with so much going on."
Dodge and a group of friends have made the trip to Regina for 16 straight years, from 1990 and 2006. The tradition slowed down when scheduling started to make it more of a challenge.
"It was the same 24 people that always went," said Dodge. "Now it's kind of whittled down to a group of about six or eight depending on who can get the time off with families and kids doing sports. So now it's whoever can go."
The rivalry between the Bombers and the Roughriders is decades old. Winnipeg hasn't been able to snag a win since 2004.
Winnipegger Ken Burns is hopeful the team will turn it around.
"We're looking forward to it," he said.
Burns is the co-owner of All-Star Tours and a dedicated Bomber fan. This will mark the 16th year the company has offered a tour to Regina for fans looking to take in the big game.
"How the Bombers are doing is a big thing," said Burns. "So this year, based on the previous couple of years, it's been a hard sell."
Burns said this seems to be the slowest year for the tour on record, but the team's recent four game winning streak has ignited a new excitement in fans.
- Bombers triumph over Alouettes for 4th-straight victory
- Bombers sweep aside Argos to claim 3rd consecutive win
- Blue Bombers take advantage of turnovers to beat down Tiger-Cats
"We've had a lot of people last minute trying to get in," he said.
This year they'll be leaving with a group of about 35 people on Saturday, Burns said he has just one package for two left.
He's already feeling optimistic about Sunday's game.
"We're looking strong," said Burns.
Following the Labour Day Classic, the rivals will battle it out in Winnipeg at the Banjo Bowl September 10th.