The 2023 Arrival of the Cup Ceremony will take place on Thursday, May 25, at 4 p.m. at the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Powwow Arbour.
Just a day before the puck drops on the tourney’s first game, the prestigious Memorial Cup will arrive at the arbour, which is located at Highway 5 and East Shuswap Road.
Open to fans of all ages, the event will feature a welcome and prayer by Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, followed by opening remarks and introductions of the host Kamloops Blazers, WHL champion Seattle Thunderbirds, OHL champion Peterborough Petes and QMJHL champion Quebec Remparts.
The ceremony will also include the unveiling of the Blazers’ theme jersey for the tournament’s opening night.
In addition, two CT-155 Hawk aircraft from 419 Tactical Fighter Training Squadron (Moose Squadron) of Cold Lake, Alta., will conduct a flyby during the ceremony. At approximately 4:30 p.m. the aircraft will fly from east to west over the Powwow Grounds.
Kamloops and 419 Squadron historically maintain a strong relationship, with the Moose Squadron being named after John “Moose” Fulton, the unit’s first commander. Fulton became one of the most decorated and revered Kamloopsians to ever serve in the Second World War. His plane went down in the English Channel in July 1942 and his body was never recovered.
419 Squadron received the Freedom of the City award from the City of Kamloops in 1993.
