The Buffalo Bills are spending Canadian Thanksgiving in Toronto, hosting an invitation-only celebration tonight at the El Mocambo that doubles as a fundraiser for the food rescue charity Second Harvest.
The event, called Give Thanks, Go Long, runs Monday, Oct. 12 at the historic music venue at 464 Spadina Avenue. Doors open at 6 p.m., pregame festivities run from 7 to 8 p.m., and the game is scheduled to begin at 8:15 p.m.
Attendance is limited, but fans who did not receive an invitation can watch a livestream through the Bills' official YouTube and Facebook channels, the team's app and Buffalobills.com.
The evening pairs football with Toronto's cultural scene. Punk rock band PUP will perform before the game, and former Bills and CFL quarterback Doug Flutie, a Heisman Trophy winner, is scheduled to appear. ETalk co-host Tyrone Edwards and visual artist Briony are also on the bill, along with food from McEwan Catering and limited-edition merchandise from Peace Collective.
Uber Eats, the presenting sponsor, will spotlight local merchants including North of Brooklyn pizza throughout the night.
A thank-you to Canadian fans
The event is the team's way of recognizing a Canadian fanbase it says has grown into one of its most important. Kate Hussmann, the Bills' chief strategy officer, told Toronto Guardian that between 15 and 20 per cent of fans at Bills home games come from Canada, roughly 12 per cent of the team's personal seat licence holders are Canadian, and Canadians make up nearly 20 per cent of the waiting list for seats.
When you combine Buffalo with the Greater Toronto Area, it's a top five NFL market.
Hussmann attributed the bond to geography and years of cross-border travel by fans, but said the Toronto relationship goes deeper than convenience.
"We wanted this to feel like it belonged in Toronto, not like we'd just taken a Buffalo watch party and dropped it across the border," she told Toronto Guardian.
The El Mocambo was chosen for its long history as one of the city's best-known live music venues. Hussmann said the team wanted the night to feel like a Toronto night out, with local talent representing the city's music, fashion and food communities.
Proceeds support Second Harvest
All ticket proceeds from the event will benefit Second Harvest, the Canadian organization that redirects surplus food to communities facing food insecurity. Hussmann said the partnership builds on the Buffalo Bills Foundation's work addressing food insecurity in Western New York.
The Thanksgiving timing ties the football celebration to the theme of giving back, she said.
While this is the first edition of Give Thanks, Go Long, the Bills hope it becomes an annual tradition. The team has also been expanding its Canadian presence through youth football programming, watch parties and merchandise collaborations.
"We know Bills fans are across Canada, and Toronto is an important part of that community," Hussmann told Toronto Guardian. "This event is an opportunity to say thank you, have fun together, and hopefully give fans another reason to feel connected to the team."
