The 100th Grey Cup Festival Touches Down in Toronto's Entertainment District

TORONTO, Nov. 13, 2012 /CNW/ - Grey Cup championships have been hosted in Toronto, Ontario more often than in any other city. The Toronto Entertainment District last welcomed a Grey Cup football game to the heart of the District in 2007. It now has the honour of welcoming the city's 47^th game and over 150,000 fans during the course of the 10 day, 11 night 100^th Grey Cup Festival that runs from November 15 through to Grey Cup game day on Sunday, November 25, 2012.

Festival goers can easily avail themselves of a wide range of restaurants, bars and venues operating in Toronto's Entertainment District. The celebration, complete with street parties, entertainment and activities are certain to make the 100^th Grey Cup Festival a sport and cultural celebration like none before it. The event unites Canadians from coast-to-coast for a ten-day, eleven-night festival encompassing over 50 events to be held within the Toronto Entertainment District and its surrounding areas. Among the attractions are Gibson's Finest Player Awards, Rushes Football Film Festival, the Scotiabank Fan Zone, the Nissan Family Zone, mbna Adrenaline Zone and the TELUS Street Festival, featuring three days of 20 live bands completely free to the public. The music continues into the Grey Cup football game with an epic SIRIUS XM Halftime Show, featuring internationally renowned artists Justin Bieber, Carly Rae Jepsen, Mariana's Trench and Gordon Lightfoot. The final battle for the Grey Cup takes place at 6:00 p.m. from inside Rogers Centre on November 25, 2012.

Festival events taking place within the Toronto Entertainment District include activities for all ages and interests and will provide a once in a lifetime chance to be part of Canada's football history:

MOVIE FANS: The 100th Grey Cup Festival kicks off with a screening of the classic film BRIAN'S SONG at Rushes Football Film Festival, presented by Nolitours, on Thursday, November 15 at 7:00 PM. Rushes, the first-ever film festival of its kind, features some of football's most celebrated films. It takes place at the Scotiabank Theatre, 259 Richmond Street and runs Thursday through to Sunday, November 18.

FANS & FAMILY: Once November 22 snaps into place, The Scotiabank Fan Zone is where the temperature gets turned up on the 100^th Grey Cup Festival. This gathering of fans runs all weekend at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC), South Building and will be home to team parties, Molson Canadian House, CFL cheerleaders, alumni and much more. The "Zone's" Scotiabank Football Experience on the 700 Level also offers many free family activities. The autograph area will feature Hall of Famers, Grey Cup Champions and current CFL stars. TSN will be live on-site ready to capture all the energy; fans can even take their turn at the various Scotiabank football activities.

SUPER FANS: Intercepting the festival's mid-point are the signature team events, to be held at the MTCC, ranging from the ticketed Riderville, Lions Den, Stamp House, Tiger Town, Touchdown Manitoba, and the family-friendly free Double Blue Bash, celebrating our hometown Toronto Argonauts. Two other team parties to be held within the Entertainment District, but offsite from the MTCC, include the ticketed Alouettes Huddle at the Maison Mercer and the free "Spirit of Edmonton" at the Sheraton Hotel.

MUSIC FANS: The TELUS Street Festival, located on Front Street, from Simcoe St. to John St. and north to the tenth yard line on Wellington St., offers award-winning ribbers from Canada's Largest Ribfest, a massive outdoor beer garden, pickup football and a countless number of activities lining the streets. Anchoring it all will be the OLG stage, featuring Saturday night headliner Our Lady Peace and 20 of Canada's best and brightest bands performing live on stage over three days, beginning at 4:00 p.m. on Friday November 23 through to Sunday November 25. For a complete schedule, go to http://www.100thgreycupfestival.ca

For more information on the 100^th Grey Cup Festival and updates, visit their website, follow them on Twitter (@100thgreycup), and for general information regarding the Toronto Entertainment District visit www.torontoed.com

About the Entertainment District Improvement Area:

Established in 2008, the Toronto Entertainment District Improvement Area's mandate is to promote, improve and preserve one of the most dynamic areas of Toronto. Benefitting from economic, environmental and social factors driving downtown growth, the Entertainment District is in the midst of a renaissance, firmly establishing itself as a thriving and vibrant district for living, creating, working and entertainment. www.torontoed.com

About the 100th Grey Cup Festival:

The 100^th  Grey Cup Festival is an "Invitation to Our Nation", uniting Canadians from coast-to-coast in Toronto for a ten-day, eleven-night festival encompassing over 50 events ranging from traditional team parties, galas and player awards to a football film festival and family fun zone at great venues including the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and Yonge Dundas Square. Complete with street parties, entertainment and activities, the 100^th Grey Cup will be a sport and cultural celebration that befits this iconic Canadian game. To learn more about the 100^th Grey Cup Festival, please visit the official website at www.100thgreycupfestival.ca.

SOURCE: Toronto Entertainment District Business Improvement Area

Janice Solomon, Executive Director
Entertainment District BIA 416-926-1337 [email protected]
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