Mayor presents 'Dancing Gabe' with community service award

Gaze through the stands at nearly any professional sports game in Winnipeg and you'll see No.91.

"Dancing Gabe," asGabrielLangloisis known,has been a staple at arenasand sports fields in Winnipeg for more than30 years. He dances at just about every opportunity during gamesand spreads cheer every time he busts a move.

On Monday, Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman presented Langlois with the City of Winnipeg Organizational Community Service Award. It is awarded to individuals and organizations that "demonstrate excellence in achievement benefiting the social, cultural or economic well-being of their community," said Bowman.

Langlois' infectious enthusiasm for Winnipeg teamsmakes him a "local treasure" deserving of the award, said the mayor.

• Dancing Gabe, Winnipeg sports superfan, boogies onto bookshelves

"Gabeinspires us every day to remember to celebrate,remember to dance," said Bowman.

"When the team is down two goals or a touchdown or needs ahomerun, that's the most important time to cheer."

Langlois dances at just about every major sports game played in Winnipeg:Blue Bombers, Winnipeg Jets and Winnipeg Goldeyes games.

Afteraccepting his award, hethanked his family as well as True North'sMarkChipmanand Sam Katz, owner of the Winnipeg Goldeyes.

"This has been the best 52 years of my life," jokedLanglois, who is 52, in his acceptance speech.

Langlois, who has autism, has used his name recognitionto help a number of charities, including the Dancing with Celebrities fundraiser for Manitobans with Disabilities in 2010 and as an employee andvolunteer with the St. Vital YMCA.

Dancing Gabe: One Step at a Time, a biography of Langloiswritten byDanielPerron,was published in 2014. Some of the book's proceeds went directly toLanglois,as well as to theWinnipeg Jets True North Foundation, theWinnipeg Goldeyes Field of Dreams Foundationand the Winnipeg Blue Bombers' commitment to anti-bullying initiatives.

Mayor Brian Bowman also honoured longtime CJOB traffic reporter Brian Barkley with a community service award at Monday's event.After 40 years on the air, Barkley is set to retire this week.