BOULDER - Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper and Boulder Mayor Suzanne Jones have each signed proclamations that declare Saturday as "Ralphie's 50th Anniversary Day" in honor of the famed University of Colorado Boulder mascot.Since 1967, Ralphie has led the football team onto the field before games in one of the greatest traditions in all of college athletics. After well over 300 games and many more community appearances, CU Boulder will commemorate the mascot's 50anniversary at this Saturday's home football game (12 p.m. kickoff versus the California Bears)."Ralphie is iconic for so many Coloradans across the country," Hickenlooper said. "Her strength and majestic nature matches that of our great state. Congratulations to the University of Colorado Boulder and everyone associated with the Ralphie program on this momentous occasion."The city of Boulder, and its residents, have also had strong ties with the Ralphie program, including the decades-old partnership of the popular Ralphie's Independence Day Blast at Folsom Field."Ralphie is a source of great pride for both the university and the Boulder community," Jones said. "She has delighted our community for the past 50 years and that's why the City Council declared this Saturday to be Ralphie's 50th Anniversary Day."Ralphie V, who is in her 10th season as the current mascot, will serve as Friday's Homecoming Parade grand marshal and be on the lawn of the Boulder County Courthouse Annex starting at 6:45 p.m. At Saturday's game, there will be former Ralphie Handlers present and video tributes to Ralphie throughout the game. Also, legendary and retired PA announcer Alan Cass will be on hand to say "Here Comes Ralphie …" one more time. Tickets are still available for Saturday's game at www.cubuffs.com/tickets Being a Ralphie Handler takes up to 30 hours a week during football season and up to 15 hours a week the rest of the year. The 15 Ralphie Handlers have to be strong and fast to run with Ralphie V, who weighs 1,200 pounds and can sprint up to 25 mph.Since its inception, the Ralphie mascot program has been funded by generous donors. Over the summer, as part of the 50th anniversary, CU Athletics announced a crowdfunding campaign to raise $50,000 by the end of the 2017 football season. To date, the campaign has raised more than $43,000. For more information, see https://www.cubuffs.com/ralphie50 . For more on the Ralphie program and history, see http://www.cubuffs.com/ralphie