The Trail Smoke Eaters and KidSport Trail are teaming up for a fun-filled and barbecue-fueled tailgate party to kick off the Smokies’ game against the Vernon Vipers on Friday and celebrate Sports Day.
Last year the inaugural Sports Day in Canada slipped by largely unnoticed, so as B.C.’s number-one sport’s town, local community groups felt compelled to join forces this year to celebrate all sports.
“We are all about partnering with others,” said KidSport’s Betty Anne Marino. “So naturally we partnered up with Local 480 and the United Way so that we all come together to celebrate, because everybody is involved in sport in some way, and so this is our way of saying let’s get together in a celebration of what your sport is, celebrate Sports Day in Canada with your jersey and your sport.”
Not only will Local 480 and United Way be flipping burgers and pouring beverages for all who attend, but everyone under 18 who shows up wearing his or her jersey, no matter what sport or activity, will be given a free ticket to the Smoke Eater game.
“What we are saying to people is ‘Wear your team jersey’ . . . be it from volleyball, from golf, from hockey, from cross-country skiing we don’t care what it is, and you will get a free ticket at the tailgate party . . . it could be Steps Dance for all we care.”
The Trail Smoke Eater players will be warming up with the kids at 5:45 p.m. before taking on the Vipers at 7:30 p.m., and special guests Mike Mondin, coach of Team Canada’s Sledge Hockey team, and Rossland’s Ian Lockey, member of the Canadian Paralympic ski team, will be on hand.
Marino is especially excited about the participation of Mondin and Lockey, and giving people the opportunity to meet them and talk about their upcoming Olympic experience in Sochi, Russia.
In addition, the tailgate party will be selling raffle tickets at the tailgate party and the game for a chance to win a signed Team Canada sledge hockey jersey, a signed Trail Smoke Eaters’ jersey, and a Ryan Kesler signed hockey stick.
“We’re excited. And it’s not just about kids, we encourage adults to wear their jerseys. We want everyone to come together because we all benefit from sport, so let’s celebrate what those benefits are especially in our community – B.C.’s number-one sports town.”
The tailgate party goes from 5 to 7 p.m. under the ‘61 Smokies mural at the Trail Memorial Centre on Friday.