CFL.ca Staff

TORONTO -- Toronto's #1 community team has called a community-wide blitz on the town of Newmarket. The Toronto Argonauts today announced the first of two week-long regional tours that will focus first on Newmarket, and then the city of Oshawa later in May. This week will kickoff with a free community BBQ and end with a celebration of Newmarket and minor football at the Argos Family Fest at Ray Twinney Park on Saturday, May 9.

The Town of Newmarket will officially declare the week of May 2 to May 9 "Argos Week", and with that, Argos players, cheerleaders and alumni will appear in schools, libraries, hospitals, restaurants, parks and even season ticket holders' homes throughout the town of Newmarket. Led by all-star OG Taylor Robertson and DB Jason Shivers, as well as members of the 2009 Argos Cheerleaders and mascot Jason, the Boatmen will whistle in the week by supporting the 31st annual Holland River & Community Clean-Up, while also hosting a free community BBQ at Steve and Adele's No Frills.

Commented Argos player Taylor Robertson, "I'm from Southern Ontario, so I understand how important it is to take these opportunities to reach out to towns, like Newmarket, where so many of our fans live. Like my hometown, Newmarket fans support the Argos by travelling downtown to our games at Rogers Centre, watching us play on television and wearing our Double Blue jerseys around their neighbourhoods. That's why it's important for us to return the favour. There's a great tradition of grassroots football in the area, and I know from personal experience that this is Argo territory because I've visited the region with our Huddle-Up Bullying Prevention program. This week will be an unforgettable one for both us and the town."

On Tuesday, May 5, the Argos will hold two Huddle-Up Bullying Prevention assemblies at Huron Heights Secondary School followed by an invite-only Thank You Newmarket V.I.P. party at Jack Astor's Bar & Grill later that night. The Boatmen have also teamed up with the York-Simcoe Bucs minor football squad and will attend one of their practices. The local business community will test their skills at the Chamber of Commerce Fantasy Football Mini-Camp on Wednesday night, and on Thursday, the Double Blue will visit Denne Public School where kids will get active and meet their favourite Argonauts players and cheerleaders.

Newmarket Mayor Tony Van Bynen enthused, "We couldn't be more excited to host the Toronto Argonauts on their first stop of their Regional tour. Newmarket is an active community and this visit is a great opportunity for residents to come out and meet the team and show their support for both local and national football clubs."

The week of activities continues as the Argos visit the new Pediatric Oncology clinic at Southlake Regional Health Centre and then make a stop at the Newmarket Public Library on Friday. Don't miss the Argos Family Fest on Saturday, May 9! It's free and open to everyone at Ray Twinney Park. Take in a minor football game between the York-Simcoe Bucs and their rivals from London, then enjoy the rest of the day meeting Argos players, cheerleaders and alumni, high-fiving team mascot Jason, testing your skills with the Argos inflatables, and recharging with a delicious barbeque!

The Argonauts will announce the second of two regional tours in Oshawa from May 23 to May 30, details to follow in the weeks to come.

Please CLICK HERE to see the Argos schedule as they touch down in Newmarket.