Redblacks kick off first ever tailgate on Lansdowne’s Great Lawn

Redblacks fans got to have a tailgate party at Lansdowne Park ahead of Saturday’s game—a first for the team. CTV’s Josh Marano reports.

The Ottawa Redblacks added a new tradition to game day this weekend, with their first ever official tailgate.

Fans gathered on the Great Lawn at Lansdowne Park three hours before kickoff against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, playing lawn games, socializing, and enjoying alcoholic beverages in the park.

Redblacks fan Darlene Ransom is no stranger to a tailgate, having attended events in Buffalo for their NFL team the Bills.

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“We’re not unfamiliar with tailgating. We are unfamiliar with what the Redblacks are doing,” she says. “We’re super excited with what they’re doing. Obviously, some efforts been put into the event today and we’re super excited to be part of it.”

The event was made possible by the City of Ottawa’s new pilot project that allows alcohol in select city parks, including Lansdowne.

The policy, which launched earlier this summer, was designed to test whether responsible drinking can fit into community spaces.

Jed Cross, a Redblacks fan, says the experience brings a whole new atmosphere to game day.

“Seeing all these people coming out at noon instead of having to wait until later on in the day, I think just adds to the atmosphere and makes this day even more exciting,” Cross says.

Team president Adrian Sciarra says this is something fans have been wanting for years, and having the Great Lawn so close to home meant they had to give it a shot.

“We’ve had some different iterations of it with different street parties and things in the past, but as things have changed and evolved in terms of bylaws and what’s allowed and what’s not, fans are able to bring alcohol, bring food now,” Sciarra says. “We just thought we’d give it a chance and on a perfect fall Saturday afternoon game to get it going.”

However, some fans say they would like to keep the legal drinking to places and events like a Redblacks tailgate.

“I like this part here for the game and everything like that, but the rest of it, I’m not against it, but I’m kind of on the fence about it,” said Stephen Rook ahead of kickoff.

The game ended with a loss for the home team, with Winnipeg beating the Redblacks 26 to 18.

The team has another tailgate party scheduled for their final home game of the regular season on Oct. 18 against the Montreal Alouettes.