Decision time is fast approaching for the Yorkton is Riderville campaign.
With that in mind, the Riderville committee hosted a series of events last Wednesday to renew the spirit within the city.
Representatives from the Roughriders were on hand to take in the festivities and show their gratitude for Yorkton's continued support of the CFL club.
Former Rider Steve Mazurak, now the Vice-President of Sales and Marketing for the Roughriders, emphasizes that the visit was an opportunity to say thank-you to Yorkton and the Riderville committee.
"This is our opportunity as a staff, management and committee, to say a final thank-you to the five finalists and to get a bit of a tour. Some of us haven't been to the major show so it's an opportunity for us to see, through the tour, the events that are happening and some of the things that are going to happen,"?Mazurak points out.
The Riderville day kicked off with a pancake breakfast in the morning in front of the Cornerstone Credit Union.
The meal was complete with green pancakes to get into the spirit.
From there, the celebration moved to Western Financial Park for the 'Yorkton is Riderville BBQ in the Park'.
The BBQ featured entertainment and a delicious barbeque for those who made the trek down at lunchtime.
A large number of Yorkton residents arrived for the party, completely decked out in Rider gear.
Mazurak and the other Rider representatives were special guests at the barbeque. Mazurak says he was very impressed by Yorkton's bid for Riderville status, especially considering the hardship suffered by the city's residents on July 1.
"So far, so good. What a great community. If Saskatchewan, especially this area, haven't had enough to deal with, in floods and fires, etc," he indicates, "(Yorkton's) supported the Roughrider community for many, many years."
The party continued on after the Mazurak and company had left with another BBQ hosted by the Yorkton RCMP in the evening.
The second BBQ of the day was complete with more live entertainment and food. All proceeds from the party went towards flood relief.
The night finished up with a public swim sponsored by the City of Yorkton, The Gallagher Centre Water Park and Yorkton Kinsmen Minor Football at the Gallagher Centre.
The Riderville day was accomplished due to the hard work of many volunteers, especially those on the Yorkton Riderville Committee including; Jason Farrell, Roby Sharpe, Barry Sharpe and Darcy Zaharia.
With the parties and events nearly complete, the time for action is now.
Voting for the Riderville contest begins on August 13 and will run until August 31.
To vote, go to www.riderville.com and select Yorkton as your choice for Riderville.
The winner will be declared at the Labour Day game on September 5 versus the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Participants are allowed one vote per day.
