Despite bone-chilling temperatures, legions of Rider fans lined the Green Mile in Regina for the 101st Grey Cup parade.
Saturday’s parade kicked off with a fly by from the CFB Cold Lake CF-18 Hornets, which soared over the parade route on Albert Street from 20th Avenue to Ninth Avenue.
The colourful spectacle featured more than 1,200 participants, over 50 floats – including one for each CFL team – 30 horses, six bands and last but never least, the Grey Cup.
According to Environment Canada, the temperature in Regina was a frigid -33C with the wind chill.
The vice-chairman of the 101st Grey Cup festival committee, Mark Stefan, says the crowd turnout is amazing given the weather and he's overwhelmed.
Riders fan Donavon Beatty, who was bundled up from head to toe with only his eyes visible, staked out a spot early to watch the parade.
Beatty says he went to the parade to support the Riders and it's probably a one in a lifetime opportunity to see them play in the Grey Cup at home.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders, who won the CFL West Division title, will face the East champions, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, in the Grey Cup on Sunday.
With files from The Canadian Press
