Tailgating The Way It Was Meant To Be

Commentary by

08/27/07

It’s been 4 long years since Viking fans have been able to tailgate in the shadow of their own stadium. Not since the Washington Avenue lots were open to tailgaters on Sunday have we been able to enjoy the pre game festivities as a group within walking distance of the Metrodome.

Once construction began along Washington Avenue, we have been steadily losing tailgate space. We tailgated behind the Depot for 2 years as it shrank to nothing. It now is lost to the Guthrie Theatre. We then moved to Rapid Park across town. That was a pretty good experience. A large mass of Viking fans could gather for the morning’s fun. The only problem was that you could not see the stadium. Then we would have to take bus transportation over to the Metrodome for the game. That was provided by the Vikings as long as you had a parking pass to Rapid Park. But then you usually had to wait quite a while to get a bus back again. Not bad in September, but could be a cold experience in December.

With the passing of the Twins Stadium deal, construction on their new stadium began this spring. Right in our old tailgating haunt at Rapid Park. Vikings tailgating was on life support, as fans had no where to really gather but the little satellite lots around the Dome. Then Zygi Wilf purchased the Star Tribune land right next to the Metrodome. Hope sprang eternal that he would do something for the fans this coming season. Rumors spread among fans that he might be setting up the Strib lots for Sunday parking.

Then last week came the announcement from the Vikings that all serious tailgaters have been waiting for. The Vikings would sponsor 4 new tailgating lots right next to the Metrodome. There is Purple Tailgate 1 & 2 along with Gold Tailgate 1 & 2. You can purchase season passes to any of the lots. No more walking to the attendant to pay for you parking. There are plenty of restrooms for the fans plus visits from the Cheerleaders, Ragnar, Viktor, and the Miller Lite Team. Charcoal receptacles, trash bins and lot security, everything that most NLF teams have in a tailgating area.

But most of all, we will be right next to our stadium. We will be able to see the sun come up over the Metrodome on a crisp fall morning. Look through the wafting tailgate smoke across to where the game will be played. Smell the cooking food on hundreds of grills as we get ready to walk the short distance to the Dome. Celebrate the victories afterward as the setting sun highlights the stadium we just left.

It’s been a long time since large groups of Viking fans have been able to do this together. Sunday mornings tailgating the way it was meant to be. Thanks Zygi. We really appreciate it.