Another Classic Coming to McMahon on Monday
August 31, 2022 – Canadian Football League (CFL) – Calgary Stampeders News Release
Calgary Stampeders vs Edmonton Elks
Presented by ATB
McMahon Stadium
Monday, Sept. 5
2:30 p.m. kickoff
TV: TSN, ESPN+
Radio: 770 CHQR, SiriusXM 167
It’s a renewal of one of the great traditions in the Canadian Football League on Monday as the Calgary Stampeders play host to the Edmonton Elks in the Labour Day Classic. Kickoff at McMahon Stadium is 2:30 p.m.
Since 1982 and for all but two seasons since 1969, the Stampeders have faced their provincial rivals on the first Monday of September. It was in 1949 that the now-familiar Calgary-Edmonton Labour Day matchup was born as the Alberta teams played five straight years in Edmonton before the series was briefly abandoned. Then, in 1959, the rivalry was renewed with Calgary serving as hosts and with only a few exceptions, it is in this form the tradition continues to exist.
Monday marks the debut of the Stamps’ new alternate uniform including a revised version of the black jersey that has been part of the Labour Day Classic tradition since 1994.
Calgary and Edmonton have played 55 times on Labour Day since 1959 and the Stamps lead the series 28-26-1. Including games against other opponents, a total of 65 Labour Day games have been played in Calgary over the years, with the Stamps posting a 38-26-1 record.
Both Calgary and Edmonton are coming off losses in Week 12 as the Stamps (6-4) dropped a 31-29 decision to the Blue Bombers in Winnipeg while the Elks (3-8) fell 25-18 at home to the Ottawa Redblacks. This is the third of four meetings between Calgary and Edmonton this season, with the Stamps having won the previous two contests – 30-23 at McMahon in Week 3 and 49-6 at Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium in Week 5.
The Stamps are 2-2 at home this season and 2-4 against the West Division. The Elks are 3-3 on the road and 0-7 against divisional opponents.
Due to the popularity of the Family Fun Zone, a special Labour Day Classic price has been created for families in Section A. Groups including fans under the age of 18 can purchase tickets for $25 per seat.
Salute to the military
Since 2015, the tradition of the Labour Day Classic at McMahon has included a salute to the military as part of Canadian Armed Forces Appreciation Day.
More than 240 members of the Canadian Armed Forces representing the Canadian Army, the Royal Canadian Navy and the Royal Canadian Air Force will be special guests of the Stampeders on Monday.
The game will be preceded by a CF-18 Hornet flyover, a ceremonial flag party from the King’s Own Calgary Regiment and the performance of the national anthem by a trio from the Royal Canadian Air Force Band.
Following the game, members of the military will be on the field to meet with Stampeders players and pose for a group photo.
As part of the tribute to the military, the Stampeders Foundation will be making a donation to Support our Troops and the Calgary Military Family Resource Centre. In addition, the Stamps Store will be selling a special Military Appreciation cap from New Era for $40 with partial proceeds being donated to those two organizations.
High Valley at halftime presented by ATB
Juno Award-winning country music artists High Valley will be performing during halftime. The Alberta band regularly performs at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry, has more than 400 million streams in North America and can boast three No. 1 singles in Canada including I Be U Be, Grew Up On That and River’s Still Running.
The performance at the Labour Day Classic is part of a big week in Calgary for High Valley as the band is nominated for multiple honours at the Canadian Country Music Awards ceremony, which will be held at the Saddledome on Sunday, Sept. 11.
Gridiron Gardens
Before kickoff, fans can enjoy the Labour Day Tailgate Party at Gridiron Gardens, which is located on the practice field immediately south of McMahon.
Features of the event include:
– Interactive military stations
– A salute to first responders with members and vehicles from the Calgary Police Service, Emergency Medical Services and the Calgary Fire Department
– Inflatables including a camo obstacle course
– Face painters
– Music
– Player autographs
– A special commemorative camo mini-football giveaway for the first 1,500 fans to enter the Gridiron Gardens
The Gridiron Gardens is free of charge and entrance is subject to capacity. For more information please visit https://www.stampeders.com/gridiron/
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