The Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (PTBO DBIA) is hosting free outdoor Peterborough Petes Memorial Cup Watch Party events at Quaker Food Park Square for this weekend, announced on Thursday.
Both games are being streamed on a 16-foot mega screen from 5:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. with puck drop at 6 p.m. on their respective days.
The Peterborough Petes open their Memorial Cup against the Western Hockey League champion Seattle Thunderbirds this Saturday. They’ll continue their schedule with the Western Hockey League host team Kamloops Blazers.
The free Community Watch Party’s live-streaming event includes an interactive kids zone, small vendors market with food and snacks and a beer garden.
“Our team at the DBIA is so excited to be organizing Memorial Cup games this weekend,” said Hillary Flood, Peterborough DBIA vibrancy manager. “Peterborough is brimming with hometown pride for our OHL Champions and we want to keep the momentum going.”
Fans are asked to bring their own chairs or can purchase from any of the vendors. Those attending are encouraged to wear to dress for the weather and proudly wear their Petes apparel.
“As the Petes go on to compete for the Memorial Cup, we are beyond excited to see the Quaker Foods City Square light up again this weekend as the crowd of hometown fans gather together to cheer on the Petes in Kamloops,” said Burton Lee, Petes executive director of business operations. “Our organization is delighted to see the outpour of community support for the Petes this season, and can’t wait to see the continuation of that amazing energy at the downtown community watch parties.”
The Peterborough DBIA had previously hosted a watch party for Game Five of the OHL Championship that eh Quaker Square. It was also the site for the Petes Championship Celebration Event on Monday.
The City of Peterborough is providing financial support to the DBIA to host the community watch parties.
"The Peterborough Petes’ magical run continues as they compete for the Memorial Cup,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “I’m looking forward to seeing Quaker Foods City Square filled with fans, watching the games together, cheering on their Petes. The community spirit has been brilliant.”
“When we think about what makes a community vibrant it really boils down to people-power,” said Flood. “Vibrancy implies a place that is alive and active—a place where people naturally are drawn. Quaker Foods City Square has proven to be one of the most valuable spaces we have to gather as a community in times of celebration.”