The Saskatchewan Roughriders made an impression on the Watson residents at the block party the team presented on Saturday.

“It was a blast,” said Jim Haussecker, assistant chief of the Watson volunteer fire department, which helped run the event.

“The players they brought out were incredible - that Charleston Hughes is such a clown, he kept the crowd laughing the whole time. Their cheer squad is unbelievable, their energy is contagious. They just had everybody pumping all night.”

Watson was one of the towns selected for a party through an online vote.

Four Riders players came to sign autographs and answer questions, and the team brought along inflatables for the kids and Gainer the Gopher.

Organizers turned the party into a fundraiser, raising around $7,000 for the fire department to upgrade equipment.

Haussecker thanked everyone who helped out with the event, including Judy Schmidt, who made a new jersey for the town’s giant Santa statue.

Watson block party 2