Some businesses in downtown Toronto are expecting an economic boost from this weekend's Grey Cup festivities, but the city itself may have a lot to do to recover from a decision by organizers that left many fans shaking their toque-covered heads.
Tourism Toronto, which represents tourist interests in the city, says football fans are starting to arrive by the hundreds.
"We've had people from Saskatchewan and Manitoba flying in, taking trains, driving. I know there are some groups that have chartered their own flights because they couldn't get other commercial flights in here. You know, the hotels in Toronto are really booked up this weekend. It promises to be a very good weekend here," said spokesperson Andrew Weir.
Many downtown hotels, he says, are completely booked for the weekend.
But hardy Western Canadians who are staying in those hotel rooms were shocked to learn that Thursday's arrival of freezing rain and snow in the host city meant the cancellation of one of the Grey Cup festival's most enduring traditions — the Calgary pancake breakfast.
"I mean, it's only a little bit of snow and a little bit of wind," said Donna Harrison, a Hamilton Tiger Cats fan who showed up from Sudbury to join in the celebration. "Out in the Prairies this would have been a heat wave!"
The first blast of winter weather to hit Toronto this season led to organizers cancelling all of the outdoor activities associated with the Grey Cup. The outdoor concerts were moved inside and the pancakes were put on hold, not on the griddle.
"I just don't want this to be a reflection on Calgary, because we were ready to party and put our breakfast on, but the powers of Toronto said no we can't do it," said one of the Calgary contingent.
Even Catherine McLean of Toronto was surprised.
"I think its ridiculous," she said. "We're football fans, we can handle the snow, that's all what football is, get out in the snow. When was the last time you saw a Grey Cup without the snow and rain and the mud? That's all the fun of it."
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