Saskatchewan Day at the Olympics!

Each participating province/territory gets a feature day at the Olympics. On February 23, it was our turn.

At the Pavilion on Saskatchewan Day, there were lots of giveaways, including Rider gear, Tourism Saskatchewan iPods and an amazing grand prize: two tickets to the Canada-Germany men's hockey game played that very night. Participants played a game of Sask-themed charades, and a couple from North Vancouver named Trevor and Jennifer were all ready to play charades and then hunker down to watch the game.

Well, next thing they knew, they won, and a little over an hour later they are in part of the crowd in their front-row seats at the game. Both are big hockey fans and were completely overjoyed. Said Trevor, "This is literally one of the best days of my life!"

Being Saskatchewan Day, Saskatchewan videos were on rotation at all Olympic venues, and at Canada Hockey Place during the game, we caught a glimpse of this one on the big scoreboard featuring Brad Muir and Sundogs Sled Excursions.

At that evening's Victory Ceremonies, Brent Butt hosted a 30-minute program of Saskatchewan bands, videos and information, which was followed by the day's medal presentations. Canadian ski-cross gold medalist Ashleigh McIvor received her medal on Saskatchewan Day.

For the daily medal ceremonies, BC Place Stadium is divided in two by a giant curtain, and a huge drape acts a a screen showing videos and graphics. After all the hardware has been handed out, the big drape drops and that evening's band does a short set. Tonight, it was Billy Talent.

That was one fun day - more to come!

/Les at the Pavilion