TORONTO – Tailgating reviews were mixed as fans of all colours mingled in a jovial and “typically Canadian” party in a parking lot before Sunday’s Grey Cup kickoff.
Ottawa Redblacks fans said they loved the experience outside BMO Field in Toronto, where beers sold for $4 and fans grilled hot dogs and calamari.
“It’s a really good opportunity for fans to get together, have some food and drinks before the game,” said Lordele Greenyer, who came down from Ottawa a few days ago to take part in the festivities leading up to the game.
“There’s no tailgating in Ottawa, definitely nothing like this and I think they’ve done a very good job of it.”
Some Calgary Stampeders fans said they preferred the tailgating back home and complained about the ticket prices and the “terrible” public transit.
“It wasn’t well organized, it was difficult to find out where to go and the volunteers didn’t know where the tailgating spot was,” said Barry Wilson.
“But we had a really good time when we got here and we can’t gripe about the weather,” which was 6 C and partly cloudy at kickoff.
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Wilson wasn’t the only one who couldn’t find the tailgating lot – it was across six lanes of traffic and in the opposite direction of the stadium.
Another Stampeders fan, Denae Lallier, wasn’t thrilled with the $500 ticket price. Tickets are going for about half price on the grey market outside the stadium, but officials expect a record crowd for the recently renovated BMO Field.
Fans won’t be treated to the teams’ respective mascots.
A Redblacks spokesperson said the Algonquin Loggersports Team that traditionally slices a “wood cookie” off a log at home games won’t be on the field due to space issues and the same goes for the Stampeders touchdown horse, Quick Six.
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The Governor General of Canada, David Johnston, flipped the coin for possession before kickoff.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who is in Madagascar leading the Canadian delegation to the summit of la Francophonie, sent fans a video message before the game.
“As we all know, anything can happen on Grey Cup Sunday,” Trudeau said.
“I’m looking forward to it like everyone else.”