Plans have been finalized for Patrick Sharp’s day with the Stanley Cup in Thunder Bay.
Like he did in 2010, the Chicago Blackhawks forward will showcase the famous trophy at a two-hour public event at Fort William Gardens, starting at noon on Aug. 2.
Hundreds of fans will be given the opportunity to have their picture taken with Sharp and the Cup. Admission is free, though the hockey player’s family is asking the public to consider bringing a donation to help stock shelves at the Regional Food Distribution Association.
Doug Henry, helping to organize the event for the city, said it’s always exciting to have the Cup in town and offered up some advice to those hoping for a Stanley Cup moment.
“Bring your camera and try to get there early because I’m sure we’ll have a lot of people there,” said Henry, joking the city has decided to add a Stanley Cup visit into its annual calendar of events, given how many times it’s been here in recent years.
Carolina’s Eric Staal brought it home in 2006. Brother Jordan had his turn in 2009, while Sharp first won it in 2010.
“The NHL players in Thunder Bay right now, including Patrick, are such community people and people really want to give that back to them. I think it’s a really great opportunity to say thanks to Patrick and thanks to the NHLers that are part of our community and that’s what the day is going to be.”
Henry said consideration was given to holding the event at Marina Park, which was Sharp’s first choice. But logistics won out.
“Working with the Sharp family, it would have been nice to have it at the Marina, but if we have it at the Gardens and it happens rain or shine and nobody has to worry about weather or work around contingency plans. So it was decided to again do it at the Gardens.”
Sharp said on Wednesday that he also plans to take the Cup to a number of different places in the city when it arrives at about 10:30 a.m.
First on his list is a stop at the George Jeffrey Children’s Centre, an organization he’s holding a golf tournament for on Aug. 9.
