Andre Reed, Serge Savard, Kevin Pillar, James Edwards, Sarah Wilkes and Joe Bowen headline the 2027 St. Thomas Sports Spectacular

A nine-time Stanley Cup champion, a three-time NBA champion, a player best known as “Superman” and an announcer who paid tribute to great big coats worn at football games will all be coming to St. Thomas on Jan. 21, 2027.

The St. Thomas Sports Spectacular is known for having one of the most star-studded head tables of any charity dinner.

The dinner was the dream of Father Patrick Costello, a pastor at St. Anne’s Parish who wondered whether it might be possible to bring celebrities from the sports world to St. Thomas.

Almost 50 years later, the event has raised more than $1 million for projects supporting local Special Olympics and Community Living Elgin.

It’s hard to know where to start with this year’s lineup.

Andre Reed starred for the Buffalo Bills, went to seven Pro Bowls and four Super Bowls, and ranks third all-time in Super Bowl receptions.

Kevin Pillar became a fan favourite with the Toronto Blue Jays for his incredible plays in the outfield. He made “Superman” catches and regularly climbed the wall to haul in fly balls.

James Edwards helped the “Bad Boys” Detroit Pistons win back-to-back NBA championships. He added a third with the 1996 Chicago Bulls, one of the best teams ever, who went 72-10 in the regular season.

Sarah Wilkes is a two-time world champion curler with three Scotties titles and an Olympic bronze medal on her resume.

Serge Savard won seven Stanley Cups with the Montreal Canadiens as a player and two more as general manager.

The head table will also feature longtime Toronto Maple Leafs announcer Joe Bowen, who hung up the microphone at the end of last season.

Leafs fans already miss hearing “Holy Mackinaw!” from Bowen. He made the phrase famous in hockey, but Pigskin Pete first brought it to life for Hamilton Tiger-Cats fans with his “Oskee Wee Wee” cheer.

A Mackinaw is a heavy coat, which was often a good idea on cold days at Ivor Wynne Stadium many years ago.

Four-time WWE title holder D’Lo Brown will also be at the head table. So will Blue Jays analysts Madison Shipman, a former NCAA and pro softball player, and Joe Siddall, a former major-leaguer.

Podcaster Mike Wilner returns as emcee. Tickets go on sale Nov. 3 online at www.stthomassportsspectacular.com or through a committee member.