The CFL will be descending on Nova Scotia this week as part of the latest edition of Touchdown Atlantic, which will feature a regular season game between the Toronto Argonauts and the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
League staff and members of the two teams arrived earlier this week to participate in various community events.
Duane Vienneau, CFL Events Officer, says he saw signs of excitement as early as last week when he first arrived, “There were close to a dozen Raiders fans on my flight in and they were coming to support their team and take a vacation at the same time which is something we’ve seen across the Touchdown Atlantic events,”.
Vienneau says although the travelling fans are a nice bonus this event is really intended for fans of the game in Atlantic Canada.
“We see how passionate fans are out here and that’s why we keep coming back and why we’ve committed to bringing more of these Touchdown Atlantic events to the region over the next few years,”.
Touchdown Atlantic will take place in both Halifax and Wolfville this weekend with Halifax hosting most of the festivities before the game on Saturday which is in Wolfville.
Starting on Thursday the CFL will be putting on events and concerts around Grand Parade in downtown Halifax. A beer garden and event space will be set up on the portion of Argyle Street overlooking Grand Parade. On both Thursday and Friday the events in Halifax run from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. with the event being open to all ages from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
With the game taking place in Wolfville on Saturday the CFL has arranged free bus transportation from 2021 Brunswick Street for fans with tickets.
Shuttle Times from downtown Halifax to Acadia University:
First shuttle departs for Acadia University at 9:30 a.m.
Last shuttle departs for Acadia University at 12:30 p.m.
Shuttle Times from Acadia University to downtown Halifax:
First shuttle departs from Acadia University at 5:30 p.m.
Last shuttle departs from Acadia University at 8:00 p.m.
The CFL is encouraging as many fans as possible to take the bus to limit the impact the event will have on traffic for the community of Wolfville. “The early buses will get people there in time for the start of the tailgate and we really want as many fans to do that as possible not only for the best experience but also to cut down on traffic,” said Vienneau.
The RCMP have also stated they will have an increased presence in the area on game day to help deal with traffic.
In partnership with the Town of Wolfville, Kings District RCMP, with the assistance of RCMP Traffic Services, will have an increased presence in the Wolfville area throughout the day. Traffic delays are expected at exits 10 and 11 on Hwy. 101 and, University Rd. in Wolfville will be closed for the day. Activities in Wolfville will begin around 10 a.m. and it is expected that traffic delays will begin prior to this.
-RCMP Bulletin on Touchdown Atlantic
The CFL is encouraging those driving themselves to the game to use Exit 11, to avoid driving through the downtown core of Wolfville which is not designed to handle the volumes of traffic expected on Saturday.
Kickoff for the game between the Toronto Argonauts and Saskatchewan Roughriders is at 3:00 p.m.
