Tailgating Archives | BC Lions Football

An Important Message for Tailgaters

July 2, 2014 By Brian Wawryshyn

On Saturday June 28th, BC Lions fans enjoyed another great Tailgate party in Tailgate Empire, otherwise known as Easy Park Lot 16 at Quebec and Terminal. Rain didn’t dampen our spirit and a great time was had by all.

Following last weekend’s game, I was contacted by Easy Park who has asked me to relay a reminder to all tailgaters that each stall you use must be paid for. On Saturday because of the weather, several tailgaters brought pop up canopies and set them up in the stall next to their vehicle, but only paid for the spot their vehicle was in.

Easy Park recently changed the metering system in our lot to a license plate registration system. Only one license plate can be registered for a given time period. I have been asked to tell tailgaters that if you need a second stall, you must purchase a second ticket using the number that is painted in the stall, and you must be prepared to show the attendant your ticket for that second stall if requested. You must purchase a ticket for the amount of time you wish to use the second stall.

Easy Park has been incredibly cooperative with us, allowing us to do what we love before BC Lions games, and to ensure we are allowed to continue to do so in the future, I ask that all tailgaters follow this rule, without exception. They will be speaking with their enforcement officers to let them know this will be the case.

I want to thank all of you who have joined us and continue to join us each game for following our few simple rules. The lot continues to be spotless after the game, and that is a testament to you the fans who value what we have built here.

I want to send thanks to Easy Park for working with us and for their patience with this matter. Let’s not let them down. I would also ask that if you’re parking downtown, please try to give this company your business, it’s the least we could do after all they have done and what they continue to do for us.

To refresh yourself on the other rules we follow, please visit our Tailgating Page.

Thank you,

Brian Wawryshyn

BCLionsDen.ca

An open letter to the PNE and the BC Lions

September 12, 2011 By Brian Wawryshyn

Dear PNE and the BC Lions Football Club,

We started off with a blip and ended with a bang and as avid tailgaters we are here to say thank you.

After our rocky start, you stepped up to the plate and gave football fans in Vancouver the best tailgating experience this city has ever seen. There have been large tailgate parties in the city before. But nothing compared to what you provided for us. It was real, it was encouraged and it was awesome.

You proved beyond a doubt that tailgating is not an evil activity. You proved that with the foresight to provide garbage cans and washrooms and a few non-meddling authorities to watch over the proceedings that tailgating is an activity that just adds to the game day experience of fans, and boy did Lions fans have it good for the last year and a half.

Great steaks, prime ribs, homemade burgers, crepes, French toast, cedar plank salmon and other delicious meals were created in Lot 9. Footballs were thrown around, new friends were made and the BC Lions game experience rivaled that of our friends in Calgary, where the standard for this pastime has been set in the CFL.

The tailgaters in your lot were mostly season ticket holders, many who have never tailgated before. They are now wondering why they never did this before, and where they will do it when the games move downtown. They may be in for a shock.

We’re hopeful that those involved will make something happen downtown. It can only fill the parking lots, and create new fans if it’s done the way you showed them how to do it.

To the BC Lions we thank you as well. We know that both the PNE and the club worked together to make this happen for the fans. We hope you can work with your new partners to make sure this great football tradition doesn’t disappear in Vancouver. Your fans are now hooked.

Lastly to all the fans that came out and joined the tailgate experience thank you as well. You picked up your garbage. You respected the lot and your fellow tailgaters and you showed all the parties involved how great this can be.

We’re all members of the Tailgate Empire and it was a great ride!

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Signed,

Tailgate Empire

We invite you to share your memories of the great tailgates at Empire Field, we would love to hear them.

Five reasons you should buy a ticket to Friday’s BC Lions game.

August 3, 2011 By Brian Wawryshyn

Okay Vancouver, we all know the BC Lions are winless in their first 5 games this season and none of us are happy about that. Not the fans, not the coaches, and most of all not the players. I’m hearing a lot of fans jumping off the bandwagon, so for each of the five losses so far I’m giving you a reason why you should buy a ticket and get out to support the BC Lions. So here they are!

The top 5 reasons to buy a BC Lions ticket to Friday’s game:

5) There are only three games left at Empire Field.

I can’t tell you how many people have told me over the years that they don’t go to Lions games because it’s too hot in BC Place. Now that Empire Field is in place and has been for over a year, where are all you people? Enough excuses, buy a ticket and support the Lions. Empire Field is an intimate setting that brings you up close to the action, and if you haven’t been yet, you’re missing out.

4) Don’t believe the haters, this is professional football.

Yeah I’m taking to you in the Micheal Vick jersey. You’re the one that mocks the three downs, the bigger field and considers the CFL minor league. Slap yourself across the face, splash some cold water on it and wake the hell up. No the CFL does not have the money and the television production that its southern cousins do. But if you like football, and claim to be a fan of the game there is no reason why you shouldn’t enjoy the CFL game. The wider field provides for a faster more open game. Kickoffs and punt returns are more exciting. None of the fair catch stuff here. And who needs four downs when you can get it done in three? Put you’re uninformed hatred aside and check out the CFL live. I bet most of you will come back. Geroy Simon is one of the greatest athletes to ever play in this city and you have the chance to see him up close and personal.

3) The Lions need your support.

The CFL is a gate driven league. They don’t have the huge television contracts that guarantee a team a profit before they even play a game. The BC Lions have been a part of this province for over 50 years. They have brought five championships to this city, more than the other sporting properties combined. They do great work in the community and the players are every day people like you and me. They play for the love of the game and the desire to compete. They play for the fans. It’s affordable family entertainment, so take the kids and support you BC Lions.

2) Tailgating

Anyone who follows this site knows how much we love to tailgate. The tailgating at BC Lions games has never been better and will never be like this again. Empire Field and the PNE have provided an awesome pregame atmosphere for football enthusiasts who love the pregame tradition of the tailgate party. While not in the same numbers as Calgary, the quality of this tailgate party is on par. In fact I’ve been told that because of crackdowns in Calgary the BC tailgates are now the best in the country. Take the BBQ and some pregame beverages. Come and meet new fans, throw the football around and see what this unique culture is all about. Join us in the Tailgate Empire at the Northwest corner of Lot 9!

1) And the number one reason to buy a ticket to Friday’s BC Lions game?

You’ll be stopping these kind from invading Empire Field!!!!

ROAR YOU LIONS ROAR!

Labour Day Sunday Musings

September 6, 2009 By Brian Wawryshyn

As I sit here awaiting the Labour Day classic between the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Saskatchewan Roughriders, I thought I would share a few opinions and thoughts from recent happenings in our great game. The Labour Day weekend football is the most anticipated weekend of the CFL regular season, and he’s a few thoughts on what’s unfolded thus far.

Proud of my Lions, proud of the fans

Two weeks ago, fans left BC Place stunned and deflated at what they had seen. The Lions were thoroughly beaten by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and it appeared like the teams spirit was shattered by that loss. Friday night at BC Place the undisputed best team in the CFL came to town and failed to score a touchdown on the Lions, who turned in a gutsy performance and restored some hope amongst the fans and no doubt confidence in themselves. I’m always proud to be a Lions fan, but Friday night showed me this team has pride and that was great to see. Kudos also go to the 27,199 fans that made it very loud in the fourth quarter getting behind that Lions defense.

The touchdown that wasn’t?

The Lions may have been fortunate that a league error on the Als final drive nullified a Montreal touchdown that would have tied the game. However a couple things need to be clarified. The first is, what was the flag on the play for? Lowell Ullrich, in his video recap following the game stated the call was offside against the Lions, while Rick Ball of the TEAM 1040 stated the call was procedure against Montreal. That would explain why Wally Buono was so upset after having the call explained to him, and almost every Lion on the field was pointing towards the Als after the touchdown and seeing the flag. If the call was against the Als, they would have been facing a 3rd and a 11 and the touchdown wouldn’t have counted anyway.

Secondly, there has been a lot of finger pointing at the “homer” timekeeper in BC Place, an accusation that is getting a little stale from disgruntled opposing fans. I sat at Commonwealth stadium this year and the clock had to be reset 4 times. It happens folks and the officials and the league are responsible for making sure it is accurate before each snap. The league has admitted their error, and while unfortunate for the Als, those are the breaks, and the Lions sure needed one.

Finally, congratulation to Wally Buono, who pulled even with Don Matthews as the most successful coach in CFL history with the win. The Lions next won will see Buono become the CFL’s all-time leader in coaching wins. Go get em Wally!

Go Joystick go!

As a Lions fan, I watched Stefan Logan closely over the last couple of weeks, selfishly hoping that “Joystick” would wear a Lions uniform again. Of course we all know his 80 yard punt return for a touchdown Thursday erased any glimmer of hope that would happen. Congratulations to Stefan Logan, who chased his dream, and went down to Pittsburgh, with no contract, no signing bonus and no promises. He gave the Steelers no choice but to have him on the team. He’s an outstanding player, with a tremendous belief in himself and his abilities, and I’m sure I join all Lions fans in wishing Logan an outstanding season with the Steelers, and I’ll certainly be watching anytime the Steelers are on TV.

Tailgating goodness!

We’re halfway through the season, and I have to say our new tailgate home has been a big success. New people are showing up and finding us to enjoy the cheap parking and everyone has been great about policing ourselves and keeping the lot clean each and every game. It’s so nice to head to the game knowing we won’t be facing a surprise when we arrive. Another huge thanks goes out to the folks at Easy Park, in particular Greg Watrych, and city councillor Andrea Reimer who made a lot of Lions fans very happy. I encourage everyone to park at Easy Park lots whenever they head downtown to an event, and if Greg and Andrea are up for it, I would love to treat them to a tailgate dinner!

Enjoy the games everyone!

Time to settle down and get ready for some great Labour Day games. Winnipeg and the Riders get it on today, and Monday features a day of double header football. Enjoy the games everyone, and good luck to all our teams in the second half of the season!