CALGARY, AB - JULY 29, 2017: The Calgary Stampeders won 60-1 against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at McMahon Stadium on Saturday night. Members of the Stampeders’ 1992 Grey Cup-championship team attended the Legacy Tailgate, presented by Coors Light, prior to the game and were recognized during halftime as part of Legacy Night.
The Calgary Stampeders are proud to introduce the Gridiron Gardens, presented by Coors Light, which will be the pre-game gathering place for Stamps fans prior to select home games this season.
Located on the practice field immediately south of McMahon Stadium, the Gridiron Gardens will debut on Saturday, July 21 prior to the Stamps’ contest against the Montreal Alouettes with activities commencing at 4 p.m. and running until kickoff time at 7 p.m. The Gridiron Gardens will also be in operation for games on Saturday, Aug. 4, Saturday, Aug. 25 and the Labour Day Classic on Monday, Sept. 3.
“The Gridiron Gardens is the place for Stamps fans to be this summer,” said Stampeders president and general manager John Hufnagel. “It’s the perfect way for fans to come together, enjoy some music, get some food and drink and get geared up for the game. We invite everyone to come join us starting with the unveiling of the Gridiron Gardens on Saturday.”
The Gridiron Gardens will feature live entertainment, player autographs, Ralph the Dog, performances by the Outriders and sponsorship activations at each event.
Fans must have a game ticket to gain free admission to the Gridiron Gardens and all ages are welcome. Beer will be available for sale at the July 21 and Aug. 4 games.
The Gridiron Gardens will run in conjunction with the themes for four summer games:
July 21 (Fan Appreciation): Come for the party, stay for the Stamps game.
Players from the Calgary Roughnecks as well as the Drill Crew dance team will be in attendance to help celebrate the great fans of Calgary and the surrounding area.
The first 1,000 fans will receive a pair of Stampeders sunglasses and there will be a Happy Hour Special from 4 to 5 p.m. with $5 beer and $5 burgers.
The Grey Cup will also be on hand with fans being able to pose for a picture with the trophy in exchange for the donation of a non-perishable item or cash donation to the Purolator Tackle Hunger food drive.
Aug. 4 (Legacy Night): It will be a walk down memory lane with an Alumni Tailgate prior to the contest against the BC Lions. Fans will get the chance to meet some of their favourite players from the past, get autographs and pose for photos.
The first 1,000 fans will receive a retro cheer towel and there will be a Happy Hour Special from 4 to 5 p.m. with $5 beer and $5 burgers.
Aug. 25 (Family Day): It will be a great time for fans of all ages as the Stamps celebrate Family Day leading up to the contest against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Special guests in the Gridiron Gardens will include Harvey the Hound, Farley the Fox and Howie the Honey Badger as well as SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer, Michelangelo and Raphael of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Chase and Marshall from the PAW Patrol.
The Stampeders offer a special welcome to first-time football fans as part of the CFL’s Diversity is Strength campaign.
Sept. 3 (Labour Day Classic): One of the great traditions of the CFL schedule – the Labour Day Classic between the Stampeders and the Edmonton Eskimos – will continue the newer tradition of paying tribute to current and former members of the Canadian military and their families.
Military vehicles will be on display and there will be the highly anticipated jet flyover prior to kickoff. Fans will have the opportunity to purchase unique military-themed Stamps items with proceeds being directed to the Calgary Military Family Resource Centre.