'Go Jets go!': Winnipeg fans, businesses gear up for whiteout parties as Jets embark on playoff run
As the Winnipeg Jets prepare to take on Colorado in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, fans and businesses are joining in the fun.
On Sunday, the Jets will face off against the Avalanche as thousands of fans flood Donald Street in downtown Winnipeg for the first Whiteout Party of the year.
“The whiteout parties are such a great economic boost for our downtown, for our local restaurants and bars, and the hotels as well,” said Mayor Scott Gillingham.
The home ice advantage also makes for a sweet start to the series, offering local businesses like Chocolatier Constance Popp the chance to create treats that rise to the occasion.
“We’ve got some puck-shaped stuff, we have all the logos, we have the regular Jets logo, the Heritage logo…the Indigenous logo,” said chocolate shop packager Quinn Joyce.
Some fans are suiting up down to the littlest detail by making customized belt bags.
“I started off by making them just for my family and they got really good feedback,” said Nicole Ellie. “So I decided to sell a few and donate the proceeds to the True North Youth Foundation.”
Other organizations and businesses are also joining in on the festivities, including car dealerships and the Winnipeg Public Library.
While it may not be Donald Street, a couple on Nairn Avenue makes sure to keep their Santa Claus in season – playoff season, that is.
“We’ve got the whiteout going here for the Winnipeg Jets playoffs and I’m hoping to keep this guy up here just a little (past) mid-June,” said Richard Holm.
Meantime, the Downtown Winnipeg Business Improvement Zone (BIZ) said its looking forward to welcoming fans to the heart of the city.
“Having these large scale events in the downtown community helps to give people that positive experience in coming downtown,” said Olivia Billson, the BIZ’s marketing, communications and engagement director. “It helps with public perception and it certainly helps with safety as well.”
WHITEOUT ZONE
The Whiteout Zone falls just outside Canada Life Centre along Donald Street, between Portage and Graham avenues. (Jaralyn Salangsang/CTV News)
The Whiteout Zone stretches down Donald Street between Portage and Graham avenues and each party is capped at 5,000 people.
For those looking to get downtown, Bike Winnipeg recommends planning alternate routes and methods of transportation.
“We’re going to have our bike valet out here on Donald just beneath the Skywalk across from the library and City Place,” said Mark Cohoe, Bike Winnipeg’s executive director. “If people are looking to bike here, that’s a great way to come to the whiteouts.”
RCAF FIGHTER JETS FLYOVER
Whether you’re taking a bike, car or bus to get to the game, make sure to look up at the sky – two Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) fighter jets will be flying over Canada Life Centre and the Whiteout Party to mark the start of the series around 6 p.m. Sunday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976871.1721873052!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
DEVELOPING Jasper updates: Wildfire reaches townsite
One of two wildfires threatening Jasper National Park has reached the townsite.
Alberta calls in army to assist with wildfire situation
Alberta has called in the Canadian Armed Forces to help assist with the worsening wildfire situation in the province.
Biden explains why he ended re-election bid in Oval Office address
U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday delivered a solemn call to voters to defend the country's democracy as he laid out in an Oval Office address his decision to drop his bid for reelection and throw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP 'blacked-out' and crashed car into window of child care centre
Staff at a Barrie child care centre say they are frustrated by what they call a local MPP's inadequate response after a car crashed through a window in one of the toddler rooms.
Norad intercepts Russian and Chinese bombers operating together near Alaska in apparent first
The North American Aerospace Defence Command (Norad) intercepted two Russian and two Chinese bombers flying near Alaska Wednesday in what appears to be the first time the two countries have been intercepted while operating together.
2 Canadians being 'sent home immediately,' removed from Olympic team after drone incident
An analyst and an assistant coach with Canada Soccer are being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and 'sent home immediately,' according to the Canadian Olympic Committee.
An unwelcome attendee has joined the Paris Olympic Games: COVID-19
After a handful of Australian water polo players tested positive for COVID-19 this week, questions have emerged around how the spread of the disease will be mitigated at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Vacations, meals, booze: Contractor used $100K of charity's money for personal expenses, B.C. court finds
A B.C. man who was hired to help a non-profit build a food hub but instead spent the money on personal expenses – including travel, restaurants, booze and cannabis – has been ordered to pay more than $120,000 in damages.
Male, female killed, 2 others injured in 'gun battle' outside Toronto plaza: police
Two people are dead and two others suffered serious injuries following a shooting that police have described as a 'gun battle' outside a plaza in Scarborough, Ont. early Wednesday morning.