By: Tyler Rabb
10. Free #TELUS Wi-Fi
What’s better than being live at the game? Bragging about it on social media, obviously. Thanks TELUS!
9. Ottawa Craft Beer Festival
The Ottawa Craft Beer Festival takes over Lansdowne for the entire weekend. Inside the great Aberdeen Pavilion, over 40 craft breweries will be pouring their hearts and pints out for you and your taste buds.
Feel like going on a beer run? The festival will also feature a 5K fundraising race along the picturesque Rideau Canal. Participants will receive a free pint from Beau’s, two passes to the festival, and a ticket to see Ottawa Fury FC take on the Tampa Bay Rowdies at 7 p.m. on Saturday, August 29.
8. Getting Here
Whether you’re busing, biking, or maybe even canoeing down the Rideau Canal, getting to TD Place is half the fun and won’t cost you much either.
Your pre-purchased game tickets get you free service on all OC Transpo routes, starting three hours before the game and lasting three hours after the final whistle.
For the REDBLACKS game on Sunday, shuttle service will be offered from Canada Post (Riverside/Heron) starting at 11 a.m. and the last shuttle, after the game, will leave TD Place at 9:30 p.m.
And other than REDBLACKS home games, TD Place offers plenty of parking and most local businesses validate.
7. Crust & Crate Public House
The newest addition to Lansdowne’s trendy dining options, Crust & Crate Public House, is opening it’s doors this weekend. The Gabriel Pizza-owned, classic Italian-inspired pub will be serving up swanky Al Forno style pizzas and gastropub fare in a colourful, cocktail inspired, beer-loving environment.
They may specialize in pizza but the rest of their menu looks pretty amazing as well. From duck confit poutine to drunken fish tacos, this up-and-coming pub presents a number of delicious dining options.
6. The Merch
All your favourite TD Place teams’ (67’s, REDBLACKS, Fury FC) gear can be found right here on game day. Concession stands throughout the stadium and arena concourses feature all the swag that you’ve been searching for.
And at every REDBLACKS home game a featured Item of the Game is available at a discounted rate. This week their offering the Sideline Coaches Polo for 25% off. Rick Campbell may be a tad jealous though.
TD Place is also the home of the Team Shop. When the teams’ are away or there’s no game that day, you can still pick up your favourite merch at their fully-stocked store, just inside Gate 2. Pick your favourite player and personalize any TD Place team jersey right there.
5. Tailgating with Silver Creek
Every game at TD Place gets started with one heck of party!
On a REDBLACKS game day, there’s always an epic tailgater that brings #RNation together. Ticket holders are invited into the Budweiser King Club, beside the west end zone, where they can enjoy live music, delicious BBQ, and all your favourite Budweiser bevvies.
Local band Silver Creek will kick-off the afternoon at 2:30 p.m. with their soulful, Canadiana-inspired rock.
Traveling with the tykes, inflatable activity centres and face painting fill the Kids Zone located in the Event Square beside the Aberdeen Pavilion.
Make sure you stop by Gate 1 to donate and help CAA collect school supplies for students in need. No supplies? No problem! Cash donations are accepted as well. Not only that, but the first 100 people to make a donation will receive two Cineplex Movie passes and be entered to win even more prizes!”
4. Darrell Fox Field Goal
This Sunday, the REDBLACKS will be honoured to host Darrell Fox, brother of Terry Fox, as he performs a ceremonial kick-off to commemorate the same kick that Terry Fox made at the same spot 35 years ago. The kick will take place before the start of the team’s game against the Riders at 4 p.m.
“Terry Fox is a Canadian hero and we’re honoured to welcome his brother, Darrell, to TD Place,” said Jeff Hunt, President of Sports for the Ottawa Sports & Entertainment Group. “The spirit and inspiration of Terry Fox shines brightest each September during the Terry Fox Run, and I encourage all our fans, members of #RNation, to support the Terry Fox Run by participating, volunteering or making a donation.”
Find out more about the Terry Fox Run and how you can help at the Terry Fox Foundation website.
3. The Crazy Canuck Burger
During the REDBLACKS 2015 season, Levy Restaurants, our first-class concessions partner, will be featuring a brand new burger at every home game.
Premium Services GM Liz Graham created this week’s Crazy Canuck Burger (pictured above).
It’s built on a quality prime rib patty, gets topped with smoked peameal back bacon and St-Albert cheese curds, and then drizzled with maple dijon mustard.
The Crazy Canuck Burger will be available at Gate 1 and 4, and in the Budweiser King Club, beside the west end zone.
Look out for the REDBLACK & Bleu and the Bacon Me Crazy burgers coming to BBQs at TD Place soon. Mmmmm. Bacon.
2. Big Joe’s Birthday
You’re invited to Big Joe’s birthday party at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday on the Great Lawn at Lansdowne!
This is your opportunity to tailgate in a family-friendly atmosphere as we celebrate Big Joe’s birthday! Balloon trees, face painting, and performers will be there to entertain the entire family. Treats and sweets will also be offered.
If you’re headed to the game afterwards, remember to find Big Joe, take a photo with him, use the hashtag #BigJoeKidsClub on Twitter or Instagram, and you could win club tickets to a future REDBLACKS game.
A special kid’s (under 12) meal deal will also be offered at Sunday’s game. It includes a kid’s hot dog, bottle of water, and chips for $8.50. It will be available at Pure Foods on the South Side and at Little Italy and Smoking Pig on the North Side.
1. Leroy Blugh HOF Celebration
The REDBLACKS will hold a special ceremony during halftime at their game on Sunday against the Roughriders at TD Place to honour REDBLACKS’ defensive line coach Leroy Blugh.
Mark DeNobile, Executive Director of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame, will present Coach Blugh, who grew up in Napanee, with a Hall of Fame jacket to mark his induction into the Hall. Blugh was selected last year for induction, but could not attend the 2015 ceremonies, which were held last weekend in Saskatoon and Regina.
The bust of Blugh that will be on display at the Canadian Football Hall of Fame will also be present during the ceremony. Blugh will make a brief speech following the presentation.
The game begins at 4 p.m., and the halftime is expected to start between 5:15 and 5:45 p.m.
