‘Rider pride is everywhere’: Fans celebrate Riders game in Saskatoon

(Hallee Mandryk/CTV News)

For the first time in more than three decades, the Saskatchewan Roughriders took to the turf in Saskatoon in front of 7,654 people.

“It doesn’t feel different at all really. I mean it’s just a different city, different venue. That’s it. I mean the Rider pride is everywhere. Fans are everywhere...it’s a culture,” Rosemary Dyck, from Spruce Home, said.

Dyck said she makes the roughly four-hour drive to Regina for every home game, but this preseason game in Saskatoon allowed for a shorter road trip. The Spruce Home resident added that while being such a dedicated fan requires a lot of travel, the game-day experience is well worth it.

“Just getting out there yelling, making lots of noise with my with the bell and just the atmosphere....it’s so much fun at a game,” Dyck said.

Prior to kickoff, fans gathered for Party in the Park festivities adjacent to Griffith’s Stadium. Dave Wollbaum and his family turned many heads thanks to their custom watermelon patterned outfits.

“We’re unique. There’s only five of us, unique fabric, my mother-in-law [is a] great seamstress. And, she made them for us,” Wollbaum said.

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Wollbaum added that their stylish green getups have made quite the statement at Riders games across the country.

“We’ve been across Canada. We’ve been to Halifax, been to the Riders games out there. And [we get] lots of comments,” Wollbaum said.

While there was no shortage of Riders fans at the sold-out preseason game, a number of Bomber fans also made the trip to Saskatoon for the occasion.

Shannon Gilchrist currently lives in Vancouver, but she came out to show her support for the blue and gold after converting to the fan base thanks to a favourite receiver.

“My family is from Saskatoon, and so we were always big Rider fans, but I was always a Weston Dressler fangirl. And so I went with him when he went to the Blue Bombers...and I’ve been a Bomber fan ever since. So it was kind of perfect for the Roughriders against the Bombers in Saskatoon,” Gilchrist said.

Gilchrist shared that while she has never been to a Riders game in Regina, this opportunity to catch her first home game alongside family seemed too good to pass up. The Bomber fan added that the atmosphere at a CFL game is hard to beat.

“Every time there’s a chance to get out in the community, it’s awesome. We get to meet new people, especially I think CFL games are like one of the best ways to meet people that you wouldn’t normally -- Just be out in the community and talking to people and hanging out and having a good time,” Gilchrist said.

The Roughriders ended up taking the win against Winnipeg in a down-to-the-wire game with a final score of 31-27.

As the Riders head toward their first regular season game (and home opener) on June 13 against the B.C Lions, those who watched the team in Saskatoon shared hope that the Bridge City game becomes a new tradition for Riders Nation.

“It feels good being here...able to watch the Riders closer to home....We only had to travel like four [hours], not like eight,” AJ Pieza, a fan from La Ronge, said.

Shane Adams, from North Battleford, said while he has been more than happy to make the trek to Regina for a Riders game in the past, this game was a welcome change of scenery.

“It’s close, like Saskatoon would be the dream to have the Riders here playing. [It took] 31 years for this to happen, this is great,” Adams said.

Adams added that if the Saskatoon game becomes an annual tradition, he plans to attend every year.