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Red Deer Invited to Welcome the Memorial Cup

May 9, 2016 - Western Hockey League (WHL) News Release


The 98th MasterCard Memorial Cup marks the first time the tournament will be held in Alberta in 42 years, and the Host Organizing Committee aims to start the event off with a bang.

"We're very excited that we could bring this event to Red Deer, and want to kick things off by asking Red Deerians to join us Thursday, May 19 to participate in the arrival of the Memorial Cup," says 2016 MasterCard Memorial Cup Host Committee Co-Chair, Ron LaRiviere.

The 2016 MasterCard Memorial Cup event will begin with a memorable Arrival Ceremony in the heart of downtown Red Deer. During this opening celebration the Memorial Cup will be brought into the city of Red Deer in spectacular fashion. The ceremony will serve as a tribute to our military and will allow the entire community to celebrate the start of this great 10 day event.

"We're thrilled the Memorial Cup is making its first stop Downtown and we can hardly wait to welcome the community to the Arrival Ceremony," says Amanda Gould, Executive Director for the Red Deer Downtown Business Association.

CH146 Griffon Helicopters will bring the Memorial Cup trophy into Red Deer flying over the crowd gathered at Veteran's Park on Ross Street. One of the helicopters will land amidst the cheering students at Central Middle School where the trophy will be picked up by a military Light Armoured Vehicle to escort it down Ross Street. The Memorial Cup will be paraded through the streets featuring a marching contingent of 45 Canadian Armed Forces pipes and drums and a group of our proud past service veterans.

Red Deerians are invited to head downtown to cheer on the parade as the Memorial Cup is marched to the final destination at the statue of the "Unknown Soldier" in Veteran's Park. The celebration is open to the public and will include the firing of a military howitzer, a welcome program and live street entertainment on the Ross Street Patio.

Please note there will be increased noise levels in the area due to the involvement of helicopters and howitzer in the event, also please be advised the following road closures will be in effect:

- Ross St., from 49 Ave. to 50 Ave. (Little Gaetz): Closed from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

- Ross St., from 48 Ave. to 49 Ave. will have a temporary 15 minute rolling closure between 11:30 - 12:00 as the parade passes through, motorists are encouraged to take a different route during that time.

- 48 Ave., from 51 St. to Ross (50) St. will be closed from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

The 2015/16 season marks the 98th anniversary of the MasterCard Memorial Cup. The Memorial Cup, one of the most prestigious and coveted trophies in North American sport, has a rich tradition that has shaped the way junior hockey is played in North America. The trophy was originally known as the OHA Memorial Cup and was donated by the Ontario Hockey Association in March, 1919, in remembrance of the many soldiers who paid the supreme sacrifice for Canada in The First World War. In 2010 the Memorial Cup was rededicated to the memory of all fallen Canadian Military Personnel.

The 2016 MasterCard Memorial Cup runs May 19-29, 2016. Game schedules, events and the entertainment lineup can be found at mastercardmemorialcup.ca.

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