Hometown Hockey will celebrate Canada's game from November 25 to 26 in Downtown Oakville. It will include Oakville resident and legend hockey announcer Ron MacLean, along with other notable National Hockey League alumni: Darryl Sittler (1970 to 1985), Adam Graves (1986 to 1994) and Darcy Tucker (1993 to 2011). Live entertainment and a multitude of activities will ensure that the entire family will have a great time.
Hometown Hockey starts at noon on Saturday 25th in Downtown Oakville and will end late on Sunday afternoon after the the viewing party. Sportsnet and Sportsnet NOW will do a live broadcast pre-game show with Ron McLaean and Tara Slone starting off at 1:30 PM, which will be followed up by showdown between Vancouver and New York.
In May, a $96,000 expenditure for Hometown Hockey in Downtown Oakville was endorsed by council.
Hometown Hockey details:
The free hockey-themed weekend will feature games, prize giveaways, fun activities, and live local entertainment for the whole family, including:
- Fan Hub: Helping fans be fans, the Fan Hub features innovative and interactive experiences, showcasing virtual autographs from NHL stars, a hockey-themed Zamboni video game and autograph signings with NHL alumni Darryl Sittler and Adam Graves, to unite fans in their passion for the game. In addition, fans are treated to free hot chocolate on site.
- Augmented Reality Photo Booth: Fans have the chance to get close to their favorite players through augmented reality technology. Fans can take photos with virtual images of NHL stars, and have the photo emailed directly to their device for social sharing.
- Hockey Circus Show: Come see Paz our world-renowned hockey acrobat! Paz juggles everything from pucks to flaming hockey sticks all while standing on top of a net. It is an experience that the family will never forget.
- Community Locker Room: A family-friendly space to engage hockey fans, celebrate the game, and interact with NHL alumni, such as Darcy Tucker.
- Family Zone: Features the famous Stow 'n Go Challenge, a hockey-themed obstacle course. Also, fans have the opportunity to enter a contest to win $5,000 for their local minor hockey association. All contest entrants will receive Hometown Hockey retro toque.
- Ball Hockey Rink: Features pick-up games for the community, including local Timbits Hockey players.
- Coffee Truck: Stop by to receive a free cup of coffee, hot chocolate or a latte.
- Pizzeria: Fans can enjoy a free slice of pizza fresh out of the oven, and play the Find Match Game to win a rooftop experience and other great prizes.
- Kids Zone: Fans have the chance to face off against friends and family with the NHL Arena and its lineup of NHL figures. In the zone, fans will also be able to enter to win a new NHL playset.
- Pit Stop: Features a pit-crew-like experience where fans have the opportunity to test their tire-hanging skills on a replica Zamboni.
- Live Local Entertainment: Live music featured throughout the weekend beginning with Mackenzie Leigh Meyer performing on Saturday, followed by Steve Strongman on Sunday.
Special *BROADCAST guests:
- Harrison Browne: Growing up in Oakville, hockey was where Harrison Browne felt most like himself. Browne, who was born female, came out as transgender last season while playing in the National Women's Hockey League (NWHL). He became the first openly transgender pro-athlete to play professional sports in North America. Tara Slone sits down with Browne to talk about being a role model for transgender athletes and his decision to put his transition on hold in order to continue playing the game.
Photo credit: Glory Rumours Photos via Foter.com / CC BY-ND
Backyard Rink: John Tavares and Sam Gagner, young friends from Oakville, may have ignited their passion for the game on Gagner’s backyard ice rink.- Oakville Blades: Oakville's very own Jamie Campbell gives us a short snapshot on the Junior Hockey team, the Oakville Blades.
- My Hometown Must: Oakville native James Hinchcliffe meets up with Tara to discuss growing up in Oakville, his racing roots and teaches Tara how to drive a go-kart.
Road closures
Starting at 2 a.m. Thursday, November 23, 2017 until 7 a.m. Monday, November 27, 2017, the following road closures in downtown Oakville will be in place to accommodate the set-up, event days, and removal requirements of Rogers Hometown Hockey:
Church Street between Navy Street and George Street
Thomas Street between Randall Street and Lakeshore Road
There will also be an additional road closure on:
George Street between Randall Street and Lakeshore road on Sunday, November 26 from 4 to 8 p.m.
Oakville Transit will provide a free shuttle service from the Oakville GO Station to downtown Oakville on Saturday, November 25 and Sunday, November 26, 2017.
Shuttle schedule:
Saturday, November 25
11:45 a.m. - First bus departs Oakville GO station
6:30 p.m. - Last bus departs from George Street at Lakeshore Road
Sunday, November 26
10:45 a.m. - First bus departs Oakville GO station
6:30 p.m. - Last bus departs from George Street at Lakeshore Road
*Change made at 5:08 PM - November 14 2017 - highlighted in RED