2009-11-13 19:52:02 -

CALGARY, ALBERTA -- (Marketwire) -- 11/13/09 -- The 2009 Grey Cup Festival announced today that Hollywood actress and Calgary's own Elisha Cuthbert will be the Grand Marshall of the Safeway Grey Cup Festival Parade on Saturday, November 28th, as part of the weekend events. The Canadian star of the hit television series "24" and over nineteen Hollywood movies will return home to Calgary over Grey Cup weekend to host the return of the Parade and will appear at various other Grey Cup events.



"Elisha Cuthbert is a major international Hollywood star with roots rights here in Calgary, so we are delighted that she has accepted the position of Grand Marshall of the Safeway Grey Cup Festival Parade," said Malcolm Kirk, chairman of the 2009 Grey Cup Festival Committee. "Elisha has wide appeal to adults and families, and her participation will truly help revive the tradition of taking Canada's biggest football celebration to the streets."



"I'm so excited to be part of the Grey Cup Festival Parade. It's an incredible Canadian tradition and I'm honored to play the role of Grand Marshall," said Hollywood scarlet Elisha Cuthbert.



The Safeway Grey Cup Festival Parade will start at 11am on the 28th of November on a route that will start on 6th Ave SW and Macleod Trail, heading down to 2nd Street SW on to 9th Ave SW and will finish at Olympic Plaza to celebrate the 97th Grey Cup Championship and Festival. Fans are encouraged to take in the Calgary Herald Family Fan Fest at Olympic Plaza following the parade where live entertainment and other programming will occur.



"The Grey Cup Festival parade will feature more than 80 entries and nearly 1800 participants, including marching bands, floats, and live musical entertainment. Entrants from Alberta and across Canada, including most of the CFL cities, will be represented," said Kirk.



Parade organizers expect the parade to last close to 2 hours and over 100,000 spectators are expected to attend where they will witness a Parade kick off flyover by the CFB Moose Jaw Canadian Forces Snowbirds. The event will be broadcasted via live hits from TSN and various other Calgary TV and radio partners at 11am MST.

2009 GREY CUP FESTIVAL Schedule of Events
-----------------------------------------

November 26th       Grey Cup Festival Kick Off

November 26th       Gibsons Finest CFL Player       Calgary TELUS Convention
                    Awards                          Centre

November 27th-28th  ENMAX Street Festival           Stephen Avenue Mall
                                                    (8th Ave)

November 27th-28th  Calgary Herald Family           Olympic Plaza
                    Fan Fest

November 27th-28th  SCOTIABANK CFL Experience       Calgary TELUS Convention
                                                    Centre

November 27th-28th  ENMAX Illuminate Calgary        Stephen Avenue Mall
                                                    (8th Ave)

November 27th-29th  MOLSON CANADIAN Quick Six       Calgary TELUS Convention
                    Saloon                          Centre

November 28th       SAFEWAY Grey Cup Festival       Downtown Calgary
                    Parade

November 28th       SCOTIABANK Grey Cup Gala &      Saddledome
                    Concert

November 29th       McMahon Stadium Pre-Game        McMahon Stadium
                    Party

November 29th       SportChek Grey Cup Family       Pengrowth Saddledome
                    Viewing party

November 29th       97th Grey Cup Championship      McMahon Stadium

The 2009 Grey Cup Festival, "Canada's Game Calgary's Party", will be distinctly Canadian and showcase Calgary's famous western hospitality. For tickets and more event information log onto www.2009greycupfestival.com : .

Contacts:
2009 Grey Cup Festival
Director of Marketing and Media Relations
Sheldon Lachambre
403.777.3304
slachambre@2009greycupfestival.com :
www.2009greycupfestival.com :