Grey Cup festivities and road closures throughout downtown Vancouver this weekend

Football fans have descended on Vancouver for the 111th Grey Cup this weekend, including Chris Tymofichuk and Bobby Dubeau — two fans who have set records for visiting all nine CFL stadiums in the shortest time possible.

"This will be my 27th Grey Cup," Winnipeg Blue Bombers superfan Tymofichuk told CBC's The Early Edition host Stephen Quinn. "It's just such a wonderful fan experience."

On Saturday, a street festival at Canada Place and a backyard party at B.C. Place are on the schedule. Leading up to the big game on Sunday, festival organizers have planned a street party at B.C. Place and a Fan March from Canada Place Way to Terry Fox Plaza.

And with that fanfare comes several road closures to make space for Grey Cup festivities. 

Throughout the weekend, anyone heading into downtown Vancouver should plan for the following closures, according to the City of Vancouver:

• Canada Place closed from Thurlow Street to Howe Street. 
• Thurlow Street and Burrard Street closed from Cordova Street to Canada Place.   
• Robson Street closed from Cambie Street to Beatty Street.
• Beatty Street closed from Smithe Street to W Georgia Street.
• Cambie Street closed from Smithe Street to W. Georgia Street (Nov 17, 12:30 pm – 3 pm only). 
• Pacific Blvd. closed from Smithe Street to Pat Quinn Way.   

And on Sunday — game day — these additional roads will be closed: 

• Howe Street closed from Canada Place to Robson Street.
• Robson Street closed from Howe St to Beatty Street. 

The city is reminding residents to check its website for road closures ahead of trips into the city's core, and advises people to walk, bike or take transit. 

Tymofichuk encourages local residents to head downtown to join the party and take in some of the events associated with the Grey Cup, including the street festival and fan march.

Vicki Hall, who was recently inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame for her work as a Canadian Football League reporter, said the Grey Cup is "part of the fabric of our country" and hopes people will go out to support the league this weekend. 

"Canada is a country of so many people who come here from other places," she said.  "It's the one chance, in my mind, where people from coast to coast get together. There's rivalries, but it's just more like this party community atmosphere where you might run into your neighbour."