Rogers Hometown Hockey makes its return to the Friendly City this weekend.
The City of Belleville was last chosen as a host city in 2018.
The festivities begin Saturday with the first of two days of a hockey-themed community festival being hosted at the Quinte Sports and Wellness Centre.
On Saturday and Sunday attendees can visit from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. or all four sessions.
The celebration caps off on Monday with a live broadcast of the Ottawa Senators against the Chicago Blackhawkss on Hometown Hockey featuring Ron MacLean and Tara Slone across the street from Belleville City Hall with a live crowd of Quinte residents.
Registration in advance and proof of full COVID-19 vaccination are required for all attendees.
Quinte News spoke with Belleville Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer Jill Raycroft about the weekend’s festivities and what people can expect.
“It will be taking place at the Quinte Sports and Wellness Centre on Saturday and Sunday. It’s a series of mainstage entertainment. They have a busker. Paz, the Hockey Show, is back again. He was here in the summer as well, we had him, he was here back in 2018 when we did Hometown Hockey the first time. So, lots of entertainment happening at the complex in the parking lot at the Quinte Sports and Wellness Centre on Saturday and Sunday.”
The weekend community festival will include live music such as Horshack and the Whiskey Mojo Band and even a live appearance and autograph-signing featuring former NHL goalie Ron Tugnutt, among other activities.
The excitement all caps off Monday with the broadcast and Raycroft provided a glimpse as to what the experience will be.
“On Monday night, that’s your chance to be part of this live studio audience, so to speak. Tara Slone and Ron MacLean will be at their desk in the transport across from City Hall and then that backdrop will be all the people standing in the parking lot. Last time they were here it really was quite an impressive show and really neat to see all the cheering people. I understand we have over 1,000 people registered to be there on Monday night so I certainly encourage people to get their name in on that list so that they can be there too.”
Anyone looking to attend either Monday’s broadcast or the festival on the weekend must register in advance for a free ticket and provide full proof of COVID-19 vaccination.
You can register for tickets and see the schedule at www.hometownhockey.com
(Photo: Belleville Chamber of Commerce/Facebook)
(Photo: Belleville Chamber of Commerce/Facebook)
