Just like Christmas, kids in Cole Harbour have been counting down the days in anticipation of the Stanley Cup’s arrival.
“They’re beside themselves,” said long-time Cole Harbour hockey coach Chad Trenholm, who organized the Timbit float for Friday’s parade. “Parents are telling me their kids are right off their rocker, running around the house, extremely excited.”
Trenholm knows firsthand. He has six-year-old twins, Connor and Cassidy, who can’t wait to see hometown hero Sidney Crosby hoist the Cup along the parade route Friday as he celebrates his June triumph with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Connor, in fact, is one of 20 lucky youngsters who will follow behind Crosby on the Timbit float.
“I’m going to be on the truck waving to all the people,” Connor said proudly. “I’m really excited.”
Connor and Cassidy already have their $10 posters of Crosby that will be sold along the parade route. Those posters enter them into a draw to be among the 87 fans selected to have their picture taken with Crosby and the Cup.
Connor already has plans for where he’ll put that picture if he’s lucky enough to have his ballot picked.
“Up in my bedroom with my other pictures,” said Connor, who already has a poster on his wall of Penguins legend Mario Lemieux, as well as a “cool picture” of Crosby skating.
Trenholm coached Crosby for two seasons at the peewee AAA level and is thrilled with how the 22-year-old has planned the day. Whether it’s seeing the parade, participating in family fun zone events or being lucky enough to get their picture with the Cup, fans should have a memorable day.
“He’s certainly doing it right, in typical Sidney fashion,” he said. “Everyone feels like they’re part of it. All these different events for different groups of people. It’s fantastic.”
Cole Harbour’s Cup celebration
Timeline of Friday’s Stanley Cup visit with Sidney Crosby, which HRM Mayor Peter Kelly has declared Sidney Crosby Day.
9 a.m. — Stanley Cup arrives via Sea King helicopter on the HMCS Preserver at the Halifax dockyard.
2:30 p.m. — Parade starts at Metro Link terminal on Portland Street.
3:30 p.m. — Stanley Cup arrives at Cole Harbour Place.
4 p.m.-onward — Family fun zone and limited photo opportunities with the Cup at Cole Harbour Place.
