The sold out curling event of the season is finally here.
Port Elgin is home to the Battle –a three-day event featuring Team Rachel Homan and Team Brad Jacobs, playing against each other at the Plex.
Head of the Battle’s Marketing and Publicity Committee Dave Middleton says, “Both of them are incredibly successful at their sport, with Rachel’s team being the bronze medalists this year at the Olympics and Brad’s team with a gold medal. But there’s one consistency between them and the rest of their team members, and that’s competitive.”
He adds, “They’re here to entertain the fans as much as they can, but we do know at some point this weekend, the competitive side is going to come out.”
He explains, “We wanted to put together a reincarnation of the battle that happened back in 1986 between Marilyn Bodough and Ed Werenich, but we wanted to add more to it.”
The three-day event features numerous games and activities as well as a curling camp.
Friday evening, September 25th, will be doubles curling. Saturday evening September 26th, its skins curling. Then the final on Sunday afternoon September 26th is regular curling with a few other features, some of which will be open to anyone.
The sold-out adult curling camp, will see 80 people coming from all over North America, coached by top curlers including Glenn Howard.
97.9 The Bruce (91.9 in the North) morning show with Longy, Bruffer and Shannie Love will be broadcasting live at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites Friday morning where some of the top athletes in curling will be staying. They’ll be chatting with the curlers as they come and go.
“They’re going to be able to select interview members of Team Homan, members of Team Jacobs,” says Middleton, noting they may also catch members of the Paralympic team, Glenn Howard and Marilyn Bodogh. “Tons of the biggest names in curling in the history of Canada will be staying at the Holiday Inn and we certainly hope to get them on the show.”
Those who did not get tickets before they sold out, can watch the matches on a number of platforms: CBC Gem, CBC Sport, The Rock Channel, You Tube and the Home Team Network.
Middleton says anyone can also attend the Great Canadian Shootout Sunday from about 10 a.m. to noon. Also Sunday, Rachel Homan will have a book sale and autograph session at noon, and at 1 p.m. there will be a live auction of team jerseys from Team Jacobs and Team Homan, and possibly the Paralympic team.
The event, sponsored by Bruce Power and presented by Holiday Inn Express and Suites, will assist multiple curling clubs in Grey Bruce with fundraising to ensure the continuation of the sport in the area. Middleton says gratuities from the event will be donated to Junior Curling in the area.
Middleton says it’s estimated over $1 million will flow into the local economy this weekend.
Find the schedule on the Port Elgin Curling Club website.