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Saskatchewan Roughriders linebacker Mike McCullough gained a new appreciation for the Yukon during his whirlwind tour through Whitehorse with the Grey Cup this weekend.

"Coming up here, I didn't think it would be real football crazy,鈥� the 34-year-old told the Star Saturday. "But I'd say one of every three people I鈥坢eet is from Saskatchewan or is a huge Riders fan. It's been great.鈥�

The Riders beat the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 45-23 to win the 101st Grey Cup in Regina last November.

McCullough, a Kingston native and two-time Grey Cup champ, jumped at the chance to visit the Yukon with the Canadian Football League trophy.

He spent his time in the Yukon visiting schools, pubs, and the Canada Games Centre with the Cup.

"That's what it's about 鈥� touching as many people as we can,鈥濃�坔e explained. "We got around. It was good.

"The Grey Cup's never been up here, so people were pretty excited. For avid football fans, it's a big deal.鈥�

Yukon Premier Darrell Pasloski played a significant role in the Cup's first visit to the territory.

A hard-core Riders fan, Pasloski said he worked the phones 鈥� including talking to the CFL鈥坈ommissioner 鈥� to help bring the Cup to the Yukon.

He and McCullough attempted to make the Cup's presence as far-reaching as possible 鈥� even making a trip to Canadian Tire and the bowling alley.

"This truly is Canada's trophy,鈥濃�圥asloski said. "We all love hockey and hockey is in our blood, but the NHL has 23 teams that are in the U.S. and Canada hasn't won the Stanley Cup since 1993.

"This is Canada's Cup. It's 105 years old and it truly is the sporting event in Canada every year.鈥�

The prized trophy made its final appearance at the Special Olympics Festival, held Saturday night at the Yukon Convention Centre.

The event, which included dinner and a live auction, raised more than $56,000 for Special Olympics Yukon 鈥� the biggest total in history, according to Serge Michaud, the organization's executive director.

As a comparison, last year's event raised $45,000.

McCullough spoke at the event, as did the local organization's athlete ambassador, Aimee Lien.

Lien is the captain of the Yukon's bocce ball team, which took home a bronze medal from provincials last year.

She said her involvement in Special Olympics allows her to stay healthy and fit.

Meanwhile, McCullough lauded the Special Olympics athletes in the room.

"The smiles they portray and the spirit they have 鈥� it's electric,鈥� he said.

Other guests of honour included 2014 Scotties skip Sarah Koltun, and Louis-Pierre Mainville, a former member of Canada's men's volleyball team.

The gala was sold out, with 320 members of the community attending.

"We are fortunate to be a part of this terrific community,鈥� said Tom Gibbs, board president of the local not-for-profit organization.

"Yukoners are very generous in their support of athletes with an intellectual disability who train and compete in the sports they love.鈥�

The Grey Cup was displayed for all attendees to enjoy.

"It's been very busy the whole time,鈥濃�圥asloski said. "I'm just thrilled to have had an opportunity to really put the icing on the cake at this event.鈥�

In other news, the Law Enforcement Torch Run has announced it will welcome Newfoundland folk group 鈥楾he Irish Descendants' to Whitehorse in June to help raise money for Special Olympics Yukon.

The Juno Award-winning band will host two concerts at the Yukon Arts Centre, June 3 and 4. Tickets are $60 and will go on sale tomorrow.

The annual Law Enforcement Torch Run is an event in which officers and athletes run the Flame of Hope to the opening ceremonies of Special Olympics competitions.

"We are excited to bring such terrific entertainers to Whitehorse,鈥� said Whitehorse RCMP Constable Ben Kingdon.