Swift Current offers to temporarily rename itself if Taylor Swift returns to Sask.
In an attempt to invite one of the most popular recording artists in the world to the land of living skies – the City of Swift Current has offered to rename itself in honour of Taylor Swift.
“Taylor Swift Current” or “Swiftie Current” were just some of the ideas floated by the community of 18,000 located in southwest Saskatchewan.
If the singer-songwriter were to make her return to Saskatchewan, Deputy Mayor Ryan Switzer says the city would make good on its promise and change its name for the duration of her visit.
“We believe this small act, in unison with the enthusiasm from other cities and towns, can create an unforgettable invitation for Taylor Swift,” Switzer said in the announcement.
“We want to remind her of the love and admiration she has in Saskatchewan and entice her to come back.”
The city said it is challenging other municipalities to join the #BacktoSaskatch movement and add their unique flair to the idea.
“We’re calling on everyone from Moose Jaw, Estevan, and Saskatoon, to Eston, Prince Albert, and Moosomin to participate,” Swift Current MLA Everett Hindley said in the news release.
“Let’s show Taylor Swift how much she means to our province.”
The city referred to a 2009 tweet from Swift – where she stated she’d like to shorten the province’s name to “Saskatch.”
“She’s known for surprising her fans whether it be a birthday party or a wedding, so there’s a chance if we work together she could surprise Saskatchewan too,” the release read.
The grassroots movement comes after fans across Canada voiced their disapproval due to the lack of Canadian stops in Swift’s Eras Tour.
Following the uproar, six dates in Toronto and an additional three in Vancouver were announced late last year.
Swift has previously visited Saskatchewan a total of four times.
In 2008, she performed in Saskatoon. A year later, she was featured in performances in both Regina and Craven.
Her latest appearance was in 2012, when she attended the Canadian Country Music Association Awards hosted in Saskatoon.
Swift Current is not the first city to attempt flattery on the pop star. Multiple U.S. cities have temporarily changed their names to reflect the coming arrival of the performer, according to Forbes.
Glendale, Ariz. became “Swift City” after being chosen as the first stop of the Eras Tour.
Hillsborough County in Florida temporarily became “Swiftsborough.”
Arlington, Texas truly pulled out all the stops. The city temporarily renamed a street “Taylor Swift Way,” offered the artist a key to the city, named the weekend of Swift’s visit to “Taylor Swift Weekend” and lit up its city hall red in reference to one of Swift’s albums.
Whether Swift will see the pleas of her potential namesake – and choose to make a stop in Saskatchewan – remains to be seen.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Aviation experts say Russia's air defence fire likely caused Azerbaijan plane crash as nation mourns
Azerbaijan on Thursday observed a nationwide day of mourning for the victims of the plane crash that killed 38 people and left all 29 survivors injured as speculation mounted about a possible cause of the disaster, with some experts saying that the airliner was damaged by Russian air defence fire.
Police identify victim of Christmas Day homicide in Hintonburg, charge suspect
The Ottawa Police Service says the victim who had been killed on Christmas Day in Hintonburg has been identified.
Boxing Day in Canada: Small retailers fear big shopping day won't make up for tough year
It’s one of the busiest shopping days of the year: Boxing Day sees thousands of people head to malls and big box stores to find great deals. But it's not so simple for smaller shops.
Raised in Sask. after his family fled Hungary, this man spent decades spying on communists for the RCMP
As a Communist Party member in Calgary in the early 1940s, Frank Hadesbeck performed clerical work at the party office, printed leaflets and sold books.
Finland stops Russia-linked vessel over damaged undersea power cable in Baltic Sea
Finnish authorities detained a ship linked to neighboring Russia as they investigate whether it damaged a Baltic Sea power cable and several data cables, police said, in the latest incident involving disruption of key infrastructure.
Police in New Brunswick investigating Christmas Eve sudden death
An unconscious individual was found in the 600-block area of Lancaster Avenue early Christmas Eve morning, and was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
Body found in wheel well of plane at Maui airport
A person was found dead in the wheel well of a United Airlines flight to Maui on Tuesday.
Your kid is spending too much time on their phone. Here's what to do about it
Wondering what your teen is up to when you're not around? They are likely on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram or Snapchat, according to a new report.
'Wicked' will make its streaming debut on New Year’s Eve, with deleted and extended scenes
Universal Pictures, the studio behind the hit film, announced on Thursday that “Wicked” will be available to buy or rent on December 31 on digital streaming platforms including Prime Video and Apple TV.