[Loyal and True]

In 2004 I lived 2 blocks from the red mile. It was definitely PG-13 most of the time. It was awesome. Lots of kids on their Dads' shoulders, waving flags and high fiving everybody. Seniors in the neighborhood came out and celebrated. It was something to be proud of. It was very much like stampede week. First thing in the morning the streets are clean and we were back to normal.

Now, at 1am and 2 am it was more rowdy, particularly in one stretch of 17th ave, in front of melrose. But at that time of night you would expect that. Most people would go home after an hour of celebrating, except the die hard party people or the bar crowds heading home. That was adult time, and for some people that was awesome in its own rowdy way. But let's not be so dumb to think the whole thing was about that. It was way better than that.

1 hour before puck drop - that is a great time to bring your kids. Honk horns, wave flags. Everybody is excited about the game. Totally festive atmosphere. I remember the Saturday, game 6 against Tampa Bay, it was like a 6 hour parade. I sat and watched all afternoon and it was great for anyone who saw it.

After an afternoon game or eastern time zone game - definitely kid friendly for quite awhile. I wouldn't hesitate to take my kids at that time.

After an 8 pm game (over at 11pm), you'd be fine for one trip down the red mile and back without any trouble before you put kids to bed. Just like the saddledome concourse after a big win. A few drunks and a few swear words but no different than the dome. Mostly just awesome.

Then you go home and the let the college kids have their fun, and the police will do their job as needed.

EDIT - The crazier stuff always took a couple hours to build up anyway. It's not like people just instantly went crazy at the end of the game and started flashing and groping eachother at 10pm, all the while chanting "Go Flames Go".