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Lynn Kaglea has been a Rider fan her whole life.
She even got a green wedding ring and watched a pre-season game during her wedding three weeks ago.
“When they say you bleed green, it’s me,” Kaglea said.
Now she and other Rider season ticket holders can legally tailgate outside of Mosaic Stadium before home games.
“This is awesome. We should have done this sooner. This is an amazing atmosphere and it’s so much fun,” Kaglea said.
Kaglea and hundreds of other Rider season ticket holders got to enjoy the Coors Light Tailgate area at the Rider’s home opener on June 13.
The Riders worked with the provincial government and the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority last winter to create a designated tailgate area outside Mosaic Stadium where fans can bring their own food and drinks, and even cook in their designated parking spots.
From left: Provincial cabinet minister Warren Kaeding, mascot Gainer the Gopher, and Roughriders president and CEO Craig Reynolds cut the ribbon to officially open the Coors Light Tailgate area. (Daniel Birru/CBC)
Only season ticket holders could apply for permits to the Coors Light Tailgate area.
Applicants were entered into a lottery, and the 200 selected had the opportunity to buy season passes for $500 or single game passes for $50. The permits give people access to two adjacent parking spots, one for their car, the other to set up chairs, tables and propane grills.
Gord Strom, a Rider season ticket holder for 50 years, says the permits were worth the cost.
“I worked it out with a friend because I live in Saskatoon, he lives here, so it’s a bit much. But if you work it with other people, share, it’s not that much,” Strom said.
The Riders are one of the last teams in the CFL to allow legal tailgating before their games. Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, Montreal and Hamilton all have tailgate options.
“Why didn’t we do this decades ago, right? This is the biggest party in town. Riders are the biggest game in town,” said James Fuchs.
James Fuchs and Lynn Kuglea brought hot dogs, hamburgers, and a pot of chili to enjoy with their friends before the Rider’s home opener on Saturday. (Laura Gillis/CBC)
Fuchs, a life-long Rider fan from White City, brought hot dogs, hamburgers, and a pot of chili to enjoy before the game.
“We love the Riders,” he said. “The Riders are the best game in town, and the championship last year was absolutely phenomenal. We loved it,” Fuchs said.
Riders fans Greg Mrazek and his wife, Joan, a couple from Dysart, Sask., have worn their Rider gear to 60 countries, including Australia, Egypt, India and China.
Greg and Joan Mrazek have been travelling across the world with their Rider gear for 50 years. (Laura Gillis/CBC)
“Look at this, this is absolutely fantastic,” Greg said, surveying the gathering of fans in the parking lot. “This is an event. It’s not a game. It’s an event.”