There was a big turnout at McMahon Stadium for Fanfest Saturday.
It’s the unofficial kickoff to football season in Calgary. The annual event started off with a pancake breakfast cooked up by volunteers from the Calgary Grey Cup Committee.
Fans were invited onto the field to take part in games and activities and meet Stamps players, coaches and alumni which included; Simon Charbonneau-Campeau, Rob Cote, Ben D’Aguilar, Dan Federkeil, James Green, Jeff Hecht, Rob Maver, Deron Mayo, Bo Levi Mitchell, Rene Paredes, Anthony Parker, Charlie Power, Tim St. Pierre, Drew Tate, Adam Thibault and Spencer Wilson.
Fans also had a chance to pose for a photo with the Grey Cup.
The Red Cross was collecting donations for the Fort McMurray relief efforts.
The new coach of the Stampeders, Dave Dickenson, put out an invitation for evacuees staying in Calgary to come and enjoy some Calgary hospitality.
“I’ve got a couple of alumni that are helping out and they’re going to bring some kids by today and we’re excited to have them here,” Dickenson said. “They’ve got a lot on their minds, so if we can help out. Even the whole City of Calgary, the economy is not great and a lot of time sports can kind of help bridge that gap and if we can do our part and they can rally behind us and have a great year, that’s something we’re looking forward to doing,” Dickenson said.
Recently retired all-star running back Jon Cornish was also introduced as a game-day ambassador for the Stampeders in 2016.
The day also featured performances by the Outriders dance and cheer team, the chance to pose for photos with the Grey Cup, inflatables, football drills supervised by members of the University of Calgary Dinos and the opportunity to purchase Stamps gear including the new jerseys released earlier this week.
“Thanks to all the fans who came out and made Fanfest a big success,” Stampeders president and general manager John Hufnagel said. “It was a beautiful day and it was great to see that everyone is so excited a new season is just around the corner.”
The Stampeders first pre-season game is Saturday, June 11 when they will host their Alberta rivals, the Edmonton Eskimos.
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