Hamilton, Canada, we’re gonna have a party! All week long — our Cup runneth over: A look at some of the best places to be during Hamilton’s 2021 Grey Cup Week

Does our Cup runneth under this year, with some scaling back of lead-up week activities and festivities?

Pshaw. Hardly.

Our Cups, plural, two of them, runneth over ... the course of three years. Cause for joy.

So, let's be the optimists. The bowl of our stadium will be way more than half full, Arkells are playing halftime, there's better than half a chance that there will be some horse play - wink, wink (about which more soon) and the whole will be more than the sum of its parts, as we party in the knowledge and anticipation that we get to do it all over again in 2023, fates and variants allowing.

The enthusiasm is more than overflowing - it is gushing. After all, we haven't had that spirit here since 19 ... '72 ... '96.

The Grey Cup is magic," says Ron Foxcroft, who co-chaired the 1996 edition with Marnie Paikin, about whom he raves. He is back this year, on the Hamilton Grey Cup Festival committee.

It (the Grey Cup) unites this city and this country socially, sports-wise, economically. Canada needs this. We need good news. It will be a shot in the arm for our hospitality industry."

It all started Tuesday with the Cup itself arriving by military helicopter from Hamilton's John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport (sponsored by Canada Drives) to Bayfront Park where fans were invited to greet the iconic trophy, along with Mayor Fred Eisenberger, CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie, various VIPS and Hamilton Tiger-Cats alumni.

That was the first of many events, occasions and revelries.

On the Thursday, Dec. 9, the famous Spirit of Edmonton hits town and starts right into the celebrations pitching tent at their hospitality room at Industria Pizzeria & Bar, 69 John St. South, going from 4 p.m. to midnight on the Thursday and same again on the Friday. All are invited to their team parties - $10 at the door.

We'll be there every day until the big game," says Gerry Harasci, chair of Spirit of Edmonton, which grew out of a few avid Eskimo fans at the 1973 Grey Cup and has attended every Grey Cup since 1974, regardless of whether the team, now called the Elks, is in it or not.

It's our 47th year," says Harasci. We'll have all local acts performing (at the parties), for instance Brian Melo."

On the Saturday, Dec. 11, their hospitality room at Industria goes from 2 p.m. to midnight; in addition, that Saturday morning, from 8 to noon, Spirit of Edmonton hosts its famous annual Grey Cup breakfast, this year at Michelangelo Banquet Centre, 1555 Upper Ottawa in Hamilton.

It (the breakfast) has been a tradition for 46 years. Again, there will be a variety of entertainment. The breakfast is still the toughest ticket at the Grey Cup," sometimes harder to snag than a ticket to the game itself.

In a normal year, he adds, SoE will bring out all 19 members and hire out a 15,000 to 20,000 square foot ballroom and have full bands playing but for COVID safety reasons, the contingent, the space and activities are somewhat reduced.

While the Saturday festivities roar on with The Spirit of Edmonton crowd, other fun will be happening elsewhere, namely the Eastern and Western social halls.

The Eastern Social Hall, presented by Access Storage, and the Western Social Hall, presented by CARSTAR, run Dec. 10, 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. and Dec. 11, 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. at the Hamilton Convention Centre, with a two-day celebration of live music, cheer team performances, merchandise giveaways and more. $20.

Big in the Western Social Hall and hospitality room, of course, will be the Calgary Grey Cup Committee, celebrating (like the Grey Cup itself) its 75th anniversary.

They usually do a school visit, a breakfast and something for the parade if there is one but not this year, for obvious reasons, says committee media spokesperson Sandy Dubyk. . Still, they will be here, 25 of them, in cowboy hats - 26 if you count Tuffy.

Tuffy Nuff, Dubyk hints, will be clomping into town as well. He can't reveal any secrets but he says to look out around Upper James between 5 and 6 p.m. on the Thursday, Dec. 9.

There's a long tradition dating back to the famous 1948 Cup in Toronto when the Calgary committee rode a horse into the lobby of the Royal York Hotel in Toronto.

How do we get Tuffy here?" Sandy says, repeating my question. It's like Santa Claus." He just appears.

Yes, it's going to be that kind of a week. Says Greg Dunnett, director, Grey Cup Festival at Hamilton Tiger-Cats Football Club, I was born and raised in Hamilton and only Grade 9 when the last Cup was here. When you love this city you know how awesome the party will be."

Says Ron Foxcroft, It's very emotional for me." For the 24th time, he is presenting the Grey Cup referee rings to the officials as part of the week's rituals. It'll be the first without Angelo Mosca.

Some other events:

• Commissioner's Fan State of the League address, 10 a.m., Friday, Dec. 10. CFL Commissioner Ambrosie will provide an update on league direction and take questions.

• CFL Legends Lunch, The Endzone Bar & Grill, 1305 Main St. East, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. CFLAA will award the Alumnus of the Year. Peter Dyakowski is MC.

• Grey Cup Headquarters, presented by Coors Light, from Dec. 10, 11 a.m. to Dec. 12, 3 p.m., the Hamilton Convention Centre will host several events and celebrations, including Eastern and Western social halls and TigerTown Game Day Party.

• CFL Awards, Friday, Dec. 10, 6 to 9 p.m., Hamilton Convention Centre. Free and open to public. The league honours its best in an evening recognizing excellence.

• CFL Awards After Party. Hamilton Convention Centre, 9 p.m. Dec. 10 to 1 a.m. Dec. 11. $20.

• Canadian Football Cheerleaders Alumni Organization celebration, Dec. 11, 3:30 to 5 p.m., Earth To Table Bread Bar, 14 James North. Meet past and present cheerleaders.

• TigerTown GameDay, presented by Bench Brewing, Sun., Dec. 12, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The ultimate Black & Gold pre-game party, featuring Tiger-Cats alumni, the dance and cheer team, live music, food and drink. $75.

• Dec. 12, 4 p.m. to midnight. THE GAME ITSELF!!! Woo hoo. Tim Hortons Field, 64 Melrose Ave. N. Twisted Tea Grey Cup social at 4 p.m. Arkells at half time. The Trews at the tailgate party (1 to 4 p.m., south end plaza).

Have a fantastic time, Hamilton and Canada!

Jeff Mahoney is a Hamilton-based reporter and columnist covering culture and lifestyle stories, commentary and humour for The Spectator. Reach him via email: jmahoney@thespec.com