The Stanley Cup is coming to town. On July 6th, to be precise. Courtesy of Lively native and Chicago Blackhawks forward Andrew Desjardins.

The public are invited to join in the celebration, beginning at 10:15 a.m., as Desjardins accompanies Mayor Brian Bigger, Councillor Michael Vagnini and Chief of Police Paul Pedersen at the Sixth Avenue Playground in Lively.

Following speeches and a presentation, Desjardins and the Cup will wind their way down Main Street towards the T.M. Davies Community Centre. Once at the arena (around 11:00 a.m.), the former member of the Rayside-Balfour Midget "AAA" Sabrecats will remain until exactly 2:00 p.m., signing autographs and taking pictures.

Event organizers, including the Desjardins family, will be accepting donations in support of the Walden Food Bank and the Sudbury Food Bank, with residents encouraged to bring along a non-perishable food item to the Walden Arena.

Finally, local hockey fans are encouraged to arrive early, as Desjardins and the Cup must depart the T.M Davies Community Centre at 2:00 p.m. sharp. Desjardins completed his fifth season in the NHL in 2014-2015, traded from the San Jose Sharks in a deadline deal that would see the 28 year-old dress in 21 of the 23 playoff games that the Blackhawks endured.

A four-year veteran of the Sault Ste Marie Greyhounds, Desjardins scored five times this past season, a new career high, and also added four post-season points, equalling the total he amassed in four playoff runs with the Sharks.