The Entertainment Starts Early at the Brier

Every Season of Champions event is a unique celebration of the sport of curling, encompassing a diverse range of entertainment and activities throughout the entire week.   At the 2012 Tim Hortons Brier, the fun starts even before the athletes take to the ice for the opening draw at the Saskatoon Credit Union Centre. It all kicks off Friday, March 2 from 1:00 – 4:00 pm with the preliminary round of Ford Hot Shots.  Admission is free for fans to see all 48 Brier competitors compete in the skills competition. The top eight will move on to the Saturday playoffs. The competitors and special guests will be honoured at the Opening Banquet, 6:00 pm at TCU Place.  Everyone is welcome to attend the evening of cocktails and fine dining.  Tickets ($80.00) can be purchased at curling.ca/tickets. The festivities move to The Original 16 Patch at 8:30 pm for Fan Appreciation Night where the competitors will meet with fans and Brier volunteers and party to the sounds of some great live music.  Access is exclusive to holders of Old Classic and Double Impact packages. A trip to the buffet is the perfect way to start off opening day at the Brier with the Brier Bear Breakfast 8:00 – 10:00 am in the Purple Heart Lounge. Tickets ($14.00) are available at curling.ca/tickets or at the Brier Information Booth. Every event pass for the opening draw includes admission to the Opening Ceremonies.  The full pageantry of one of the game’s most cherished championships will be on display at Credit Union Centre for the official welcoming of the competitors to Saskatoon. The Ford Hot Shots finals will follow at 11:30 am with Ford of Canada presenting a two-year lease on a 2012 Ford Focus Titanium to the winner, a cheque for $2,000 to the runner-up and $1,000 for third place. On Wednesday, March 7 fans can see another side of the city with the “Wine Your Way Thru Saskatoon Tour”.  A charter bus will leave Credit Union Centre at 1:30 pm for an afternoon that includes a visit to the Western Development Museum, wine, cheese, Saskatoon Berry pie and a FANtastic souvenir pin.  Tickets ($25.00) are available at curling.ca/tickets or at the Brier Information Booth. The FANtastic Spectator Spiel gives Brier fans from across the country the chance to take their turn on the ice.  The casual competition takes place Friday, March 9 from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm at the Granite Curling Club, 480, 1^st Ave. N.  It includes the curling, lunch and a FANtastic souvenir pin.  Tickets ($25.00) are available at curling.ca/tickets or the Brier Information Booth. The Junior Draw to the Button contest will be on the ice in Credit Union Centre during the fifth-end break of Friday’s 6:30 pm draw and again Saturday for the 1:30 pm and 7:00 pm draws.  Junior curlers between the ages of 10 and 18 can register for free at the Brier Information Booth and compete for the prizes. And, what better way to get ready for the championship final than the Awards Brunch?  It takes place 1:00 pm Sunday, March 11 at TCU Place.  Tickets ($30.00) are available at curling.ca/tickets. An amazing week awaits fans at the 2012 Tim Hortons Brier, March 3-11.  Click here for the complete schedule of entertainment and activities. “You Gotta Be There” when the Brier makes it sixth visit to the heart of curling country in Saskatoon.  Excellent seats are available just by clicking here.