Where is Riderville? A long way from here.
The Northwest's last and best hope in the contest, the town of Unity, couldn't muster enough votes in the Where is Riderville contest.
Instead, Avonlea, located 60 km southwest of Regina, took home the Riderville title with just over 30 per cent of the votes cast online.
The announcement was made during the Labour Day weekend clash at Mosaic Stadium between the Riders and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, which the Riders won 27-23.
The town of about 400 had been seen as one of the frontrunners in the contest from the start. Avonlea takes home the $25,000 grand prize with plans to put the money to use to develop a football program in the community. They also receive a one-day football camp including Rider players, coaches and alumni, and a highway sign earning the distinction of Riderville.
Initially, the football club received 37 entries in the Riderville contest including a strong bid from the Battlefords.
The local campaign received staunch support from North Battleford mayor Ian Hamilton and Battleford mayor Chris Odishaw. Area businesses in the Battlefords lent their support to the cause by decking out their homes and businesses in Rider green.
The field was narrowed in July to five finalists - Avonlea, Nipawin, Yorkton, Weyburn and the lone Northwest entry left, Unity.
Unity mounted a strong campaign, holding rallies and painting an entire intersection of the town green to support the Riders. The community took their campaign to the rest of the Northwest, including the Battlefords, urging people in those communities to vote for them.
Some 269,093 votes were cast in the online poll between Aug. 13 and 31.
In a statement, Roughriders president and CEO Jim Hopson said the community spirit displayed "exceeded our expectations."
"This contest embodies the passion that the entire province has for their communities and for the Riders."
