More than 8,000 fans passed through the gates of McMahon Stadium on Saturday for the latest edition of Fanfest, presented by Your Alberta Ram Dealers.

Fanfest annually serves as the unofficial kickoff event for the Stampeders football season.

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“Thanks to all the fans who came out and made Fanfest a big success,” said Stampeders president and general manager John Hufnagel. “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 day got under way with a pancake breakfast in the parking lot and continued inside on the McMahon Stadium turf with booths, partner activations, games and activities.

Fans walked through the locker room, enjoyed food on the TELUS patio, met Ralph the Dog and Quick Six the Stampeders touchdown horse and got autographs from players 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.

Also on hand were Stamps alumni including recently retired all-star running back Jon Cornish, who on Saturday was 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.

Rob Cote, the winner of the Presidents’ Ring — which goes to the Stampeders player who best demonstrates excellence on and off the field — was formally honoured and Herm Harrison Memorial Award winner Bo Levi Mitchell was recognized for his tireless community involvement.