Six tips to make your Grey Cup party a champion
In November 2017, I was part of the team that welcomed fans from far and wide to the nation’s capital for the 105th Grey Cup Festival. I had been working on the Festival team for 18 months as the Manager of Events and Programming. I designed, developed, planned and executed over 20+ public events, launch parties, and community initiatives in the build-up to and during the week long celebration. It was my job to develop strategic initiatives and execute a killer event schedule to enhance the Festival experience and ensure our guests – the fans – had the most incredible time celebrating the game we all love at every single event they chose to attend.
One of my favourite things about the Grey Cup Festival is how fans from across the country come together and celebrate each and every team. Whether the team you’ve cheered for all season is in the big game or not – it doesn’t matter. Heck, even the Atlantic Schooners host a team party every year and their team doesn’t even exist just yet! The best way to describe the feeling of being at any event taking place during the Grey Cup Festival is that it’s like a nice, big, warm Canadian hug. It’s about the Cup, sure, but it’s also about celebrating tradition and diversity, all nine - wait, 10 with those Schooners - CFL teams, all the fans, and all the things that make this League and this game great!
ICYMI, the big game takes place this Sunday – it’s the Hamilton Tiger-Cats versus the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Neither team has won the Cup since the nineties so that makes this face off even more exciting! Kickoff is at 6pm EST.
I had a hand in planning some of the most incredible events and experiences for the 105th Grey Cup Festival – there is no way I could resist the opportunity to share a few different ways you can ensure your viewing party is so good that you guests will be begging you to host again next year!
Eat like a champ
I’m happily the first one to throw all conscious eating rules out the window on game day. Why would you hold back when you have the perfect “excuse” to chow down on some of the best food out there? Nachos, wings, pizza, chili – the list goes on and on and I’m here for it all. These classics have withstood the passing of time and for good reason – people love them and people associate having these delicious items at their finger tips with game day feels. If you really want to elevate your game day noms and take your menu to the next level, I recommend including items that the team cities are known for. If Montreal was in the game you could have poutine, if Ottawa was in it, you could include your take on a Beavertail, when the Schooners make their way to the championship game for the first time you can treat guests to lobster rolls. For this year though I suggest pierogis to represent the Blue Bombers and maybe some of your favourite treats from Tim Hortons (hello, timbits!), founded in Hamilton in 1964, for the Ticats.
Bottoms up
What’s a football game viewing party, let alone a Grey Cup viewing party without bevvies?! I know, I know…not one I would be rushing to attend haha. Beer is an obvious drink menu must-have in this situation but you can also include a few additional options for guests to enjoy as well. Since it’s late November and it’s dark and cold – you can offer up something like a hot toddy or red wine to keep them warm. Signature cocktails are also a great way to bring some originality to the table. You can make one that represents each team playing in the game - use different colours, liquors, straws (paper, of course!) to make it obvious which team the cocktail is inspired by. And while those creative juices are flowing – give them a fun, football themed name or think of play on words using your favourite players and coaches’ names, or game rules that only apply in the CFL.
It’s all fun and games
A great way to engage guests and encourage some friendly competition is to include some games of your own. You could create Grey Cup themed trivia questions – think Canadian football in general, the two cities competing, specific questions about the Cup itself, player stats, etc. You can encourage guests to dress to the nines – best attire, costume, themed outfit wins a prize. If it were my party, I would ask each person or pair to come up with their best touchdown celly – after everyone has loosened up with a drink or two, this comp will get real interesting, I’m sure!
Best seats in the house
it’s important to ensure that you can see the screen from every seat in the room – so keep that in mind as you build “the stands” in your living room, basement, or garage. If you are working with a smaller space – get creative with pillows, poofs, ottomans – keep it soft for guests that may gather round the TV on the floor. You can also create some fun by keeping guests cheering for opposing teams on separate sides of the room and/or screen.
Game changer
I’m talking loot bags for adults! In this great country of ours, we can go to the convenience store and pick up a bunch of different candy and chip options that you can’t find anywhere else. Why not celebrate the Canadian football championship game with items that can only be found on our shelves. Think all dressed or ketchup chips, smarties, coffee crisps, twizzlers and glosette raisins. The candy aisle is your oyster. You can easily find some treat bags that have footballs or helmets on them to take it up a notch too. Believe me, no one has ever left a party with loot bags unhappy.
Décor (though I don’t think that is the right word for it in this instance)
I would keep this piece simple – posters, team flags, helmets, footballs in the room. If kids are attending the party, you can set up a sign making table with Bristol board, markers, paint, etc. It’s a great way to keep them occupied and have them take part in the celebration!
Oh, and just a friendly reminder… end of November weather across the country means coats and boots and winter accessories. Don’t forget to have place set aside for people to put their coats, have mats put down to protect your floors and save you time mopping, and hangers – lots of hangers strong enough to hold winter jackets!
And…if you are scrambling for a playlist – this year you are in luck. The Arkells are from Hamilton so just throw their albums into the same folder and hit shuffle! You know I couldn’t miss the opportunity to plug my fave band!