Heather Buchanan wasn’t born into this extended family that has become such an important component of her life.
Oh sure, she is a diehard Winnipeg Blue Bombers fan now – and the details of that passion will follow in the paragraphs ahead – but that wasn’t always the case for this product of St. James who works at Manitoba Blue Cross.
“I started by just going to the occasional game about 20 years ago and then really got into it when we went to the Labour Day Classic one year,” began Buchanan, the subject of this week’s bluebombers.com fan profile. “I was more of a casual fan before then and I just enjoyed going to games with my friends.
“But it was 2004 when we went to the Labour Day Classic with a whole bunch of friends that things changed. The camaraderie we had and being right in the middle of the rivalry with Saskatchewan, it just got me more involved with watching more games and seeking more information so I could beak back at people.
“I was already turning into a fan, but the Labour Day Classic was when it was really solidified. I didn’t like people talking bad about my team and wanted to be able to respond when people said something about Kevin Glenn or another player. I wanted to have facts behind what I yelled back and so then that’s when I started following everything and became hard core.”
Buchanan didn’t just begin to educate herself on the Bombers back then; she also decided to go all-in on game day. Many fans will recognize her for her blue wig and pigtails. And she’s also the diehard type that will go out of her way to do the little things to make the fan experience better.
In essence, she’s become an in-house party planner for the football club on those 10 nights a year the Bombers are taking centre stage at Investors Group Field.
“It started when we decided we couldn’t go into Saskatchewan without being decked out,” Buchanan explained. “There were a whole bunch of us from work that went and my boss at the time got us all shirts that matched. I just added to my piece with the wigs and the hats… it’s just progressed as the years have gone by.
“Now when I go to games, I bring a backpack full of stuff. I go to the Dollar Store and buy blue tambourines to give to kids. I’m just trying to get people as happy as possible at the games.”
The Banjo Bowl has now replaced the Labour Day Classic as Buchanan’s big event on the annual football calendar. It became more and more difficult to get tickets for a pilgrimage to Regina every year and the idea of helping play host to a size-large party right here at Investors Group Field became that much more appealing.
And she’s grown her group of friends and fanatics with each passing year.
“I got more and more involved and then tried to get more and more people to go with me,” said Buchanan. “I started to really encourage other people to become fans and our focus became Banjo Bowl and trying to get more and more people to come to that game.
“We started with eight people, it grew to 15 the next year, and last year I had 54 people with me… friends, people from work. This year it’s up to 60 and it’s a big thing now. It’s talked about at work now and they want to participate.
“Three years ago my friend’s brother was in town for work from Quebec,” added Buchanan. “He came along with us to the game and now he comes every year for Banjo Bowl. It’s part of his routine and he makes sure he’s always here. This year, he’s bringing his brother-in-law and their friends… there are out-of-towners coming now to be part of our group.
“That’s special to me.”
There’s also another connection that has made this team near and dear to her heart. Six years ago, Buchanan was diagnosed with cancer and, upon hearing of her battle, former Bomber Obby Khan had a jersey signed by all the players on the team.
“That’s part of the connection I have with this team now,” said Buchanan. “It’s a special bond.”
Buchanan has remained loyal to the Bombers through some tough times. That won’t ever change, she insists. And one day – soon, she hopes – the wins will start piling up and her extended family of Bomber fans will grow even larger.
“Right now I get more people sympathizing with me than anything,” she said with a chuckle. “They’ll come into my office to see if I’m OK after a loss.
“But I keep telling them it’s all going to pay off because it’s going to turn the right way.”
