Photos courtesy: St. Thomas Sports Spectacular/Matt Hiscox
Some big names in professional sports are set to visit St. Thomas this January, helping raise funds for local Special Olympics and Community Living Elgin.
Former Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Kevin Pillar, NFL Hall of Famer Andre Reed, NHL Hall of Famer Serge Savard, and longtime Toronto Maple Leafs broadcaster Joe Bowen are among 10 celebrities confirmed for the 2027 St. Thomas Sports Spectacular.
The annual charity event takes place January 21, 2027, continuing a tradition that has brought sports stars to the community since 1978.
Pillar, known as “Superman” for his spectacular defensive plays, spent seven of his 13 Major League Baseball seasons with the Blue Jays, including the team’s playoff runs in 2015 and 2016.
Reed was a key member of the Buffalo Bills during their early-1990s run, earning seven Pro Bowl selections and a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Savard won nine Stanley Cups with the Montreal Canadiens organization, seven as a player and two as general manager, and represented Canada in the 1972 Summit Series.
Bowen, known for his signature “Holy Mackinaw!” call, spent more than four decades as the voice of the Maple Leafs before retiring at the end of last season.
The head table will also include former three-time NBA champion James “Buddha” Edwards, Olympic bronze medal-winning curler Sarah Wilkes, former Major League Baseball catcher and Blue Jays analyst Joe Siddall, Blue Jays Central analyst Madison Shipman and former WWE European Champion D’Lo Brown.
Toronto Star podcaster and columnist Mike Wilner will return as emcee, a role he has held since 2015. myFM caught up with Wilner during the event in 2025, who raved about the continued success.
Part of what makes the Sports Spectacular stand out is the opportunity to meet sporting legends without the barriers fans might encounter at other events. Wilner says that kind of access is something that makes the St. Thomas fundraiser truly unique.
While the celebrity lineup draws attention, the event’s focus remains on supporting people in the community. Since its inception, the Sports Spectacular has raised more than $1 million for local Special Olympics initiatives and Community Living Elgin. Wilner says hearing the athletes share their personal stories is one of the most meaningful parts of the night.
The event traces its roots to 1978, when Father Patrick Costello, then pastor of St. Anne’s Parish, envisioned bringing sports celebrities to St. Thomas for a community fundraiser.
Tickets go on sale November 3, 2026, through Stthomassportsspectacular.com or directly from a committee member.
Written by: Kennedy Freeman
