June 3, 1989: 'SkyDome' officially opens with an extravagant, rain-soaked gala

CTV News Archive: Opening night at SkyDome June 3, 1989: A sellout crowd of Canadians bursting with pride roar with applause at the gala to officially open Toronto's SkyDome.

The current home of the Blue Jays and the Argonauts was put on display for the world to see 27 years ago today.

SkyDome, now called the Rogers Centre, was officially opened with its first-ever televised event hosted by actors Alan Thicke and Andrea Martin.

A sellout crowd packed Toronto's new stadium to take in the lavish ceremonies, which included performances from jazz pianist Oscar Peterson and rock band Glass Tiger.

The over 50,000 in attendance for the opening of Toronto's latest attraction got into the baseball spirit by performing 'the wave' and cheering for three hours.

Many in the crowd got up and left halfway through the opening ceremonies after then-Ontario Premier David Peterson ceremonially opened the stadium's retractable roof, letting the pouring rain come in.

The deluge didn't deter the singers and dancers on stage, many of whom slipped and fell throughout their performances.

Nobody was hurt, but many felt the roof should have been closed to protect the performers. Peterson said opening the roof of the stadium and leaving it open for the rest of the event was "dumb."

The celebration was capped off with the rain-filled Toronto skies being illuminated by a spectacular fireworks show.