Rexall Place: Are Flags Not Allowed?

[Kipper is King]

So, after working for hours at getting tickets (eventually resorted to StubHub), myself and several friends and relatives will be at the season opener in Edmonton. We are sitting at the front of the 300s, which is the best we could do to suit everyone's budget. It will be great watching the Flames beat the Oilers with my Oiler fan relatives!

I have one of the larger Flames flags on a balsa wood stick that you see all the time in the Saddledome. I read on a forum that these were not allowed into Rexall Place. Can anyone confirm this? I hope it isn't the case.

Also, if anyone has any tips for seeing the Battle of Alberta in the City of Chump-ions, I would appreciate that. I can't wait to cheer on the Flames in Mullet-ville! This will be my second time seeing the Flames on the road.

[ricosuave]

well, I know peanuts arent allowed at Commonweath, so...

[Reggie Dunlop]

Security will escort you to the Guantanamo Room deep with the bowels of Rectal.

[ken0042]

Just sneak it in with you.

How? Two words- body cavity.

[HOOT]

Of course flags are allowed in Edmonton.*

*only if they are Oiler flags.

This is completly true as it happened to me. Walking in beside a guy with the exact same flag (but Oilers) and they made me give up my flag to coat check, oh and at a cost. They told me it was because it was too big, story of my life, but there was at least 10 of them there that night but all Edmonton.

[Kybosh]

Oh, you said flags . . . nevermind.

[Caged Great]

just don't bring Old Dutch Potato chips, or you'll be lucky to get out alive

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by HOOT

Of course flags are allowed in Edmonton.*

*only if they are Oiler flags.

Yup. The Oilers and their security are notoriously petty and biassed for things like this. You have to say, do and think what the gestapo wants when you are in Edmonton.

[Hi-Psi]

I went to my first game at Rexall Place last year and had no idea they did pat down checks for liquor and weapons. Luckily my mickey of vodka was tucked in good enough that they never noticed it. I wonder when they'll start doing this at the Dome?

[Kipper is King]

Originally Posted by Hi-Psi

I went to my first game at Rexall Place last year and had no idea they did pat down checks for liquor and weapons. Luckily my mickey of vodka was tucked in good enough that they never noticed it. I wonder when they'll start doing this at the Dome?

In some arenas, it's much like an airport before you enter.

[Redliner]

Originally Posted by Hi-Psi

I went to my first game at Rexall Place last year and had no idea they did pat down checks for liquor and weapons.

Well that sucks. How are you supposed to participate in the knife fights between periods?

[return to the red]

you take your life into your own hands even trying to get that Flag into there. Good on ya if you manage it but I highly doubt the flag will make it in let alone out of there.

[SebC]

Yeah... there's a strong possibility they'll tell you it's not allowed because you're a Flames fan. I recommend finding someone with an Oilers flag and following them in. That way, you can call BS if they let the Oiler flag in and try to take yours.

[Traditional_Ale]

Why not just get a cheap Oilers flag and lay it down over the flames flag then roll them up together and carry it in rolled up? It will look like an Oil flag, but then when you unleash it...

[Red Ice Player]

Is it unfair and discrimination? Sure. But why do you need a flag in there anyway? If your aim is to provoke drunks and encourage abuse, then go for it. Assuming you are already wearing Flames' gear, I don't see the point. As a Flames' fan, I would tend to resent an opposition team's flag waved in my face.

[Kipper is King]

Thanks for your advice, opinions and hilarious comments everyone. It sure sounds like I probably won't be able to bring a flag into Rexall.

My jersey, cap and cheering will work just fine. Go Flames Go!

[Traditional_Ale]

Originally Posted by Red Ice Player

Is it unfair and discrimination? Sure. But why do you need a flag in there anyway? If your aim is to provoke drunks and encourage abuse, then go for it. Assuming you are already wearing Flames' gear, I don't see the point. As a Flames' fan, I would tend to resent an opposition team's flag waved in my face.

As a sports fan, I find your stance very confusing. I'd rather be at a game with true fans (from both sides) absolutely going nuts, givin her hell just like the team on the ice/field/whatever. If someone's flag actually contacted my face I'd probably be too jacked-up/excited/drunk to notice or care.

[Red Ice Player]

Originally Posted by Traditional_Ale

As a sports fan, I find your stance very confusing. I'd rather be at a game with true fans (from both sides) absolutely going nuts, givin her hell just like the team on the ice/field/whatever. If someone's flag actually contacted my face I'd probably be too jacked-up/excited/drunk to notice or care.

I guess we differ on the definition of a "true fan" then. I haven't been drunk at a game since 2000, and the team we had then would certainly justify getting tight. I watch the game and just don't feel the need to draw attention to myself other than wearing my jersey. Avoiding confrontation in a rival barn by leaving my props at home makes sense to me. I've been a Flames' fan since 1981, but I'll admit that the older I get, the less passionate I am about professional sports in general, including the Flames. I'm still a hell of a lot louder than the corporate crowd though.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Originally Posted by Red Ice Player

I guess we differ on the definition of a "true fan" then. I haven't been drunk at a game since 2000, and the team we had then would certainly justify getting tight. I watch the game and just don't feel the need to draw attention to myself other than wearing my jersey. Avoiding confrontation in a rival barn by leaving my props at home makes sense to me. I've been a Flames' fan since 1981, but I'll admit that the older I get, the less passionate I am about professional sports in general, including the Flames. I'm still a hell of a lot louder than the corporate crowd though.

Drunken mayhem belongs at home, behind closed doors. With family.

[Traditional_Ale]

Originally Posted by Red Ice Player

I guess we differ on the definition of a "true fan" then. I haven't been drunk at a game since 2000, and the team we had then would certainly justify getting tight. I watch the game and just don't feel the need to draw attention to myself other than wearing my jersey. Avoiding confrontation in a rival barn by leaving my props at home makes sense to me. I've been a Flames' fan since 1981, but I'll admit that the older I get, the less passionate I am about professional sports in general, including the Flames. I'm still a hell of a lot louder than the corporate crowd though.

'Tis all I ask!

Seriously though, I agree that as the older we get the less crazy we are at games. Back in the 04 run my brother and I were absolute animals. Beasts actually, frothing at the mouth with rabid fandom! We would be silly before we even went in and the stairs down from the 300's when the game was over were always fun.

Now we don't pre-game anymore, but damn are we loud. I love the (playful and classy) heckling of the other teams fans, celebrating goals with strangers and friends alike, going after the oppositions "fatty" ("Who at all the pie? Who ate all the pie? (insert player) you fat , YOU ATE ALL THE PIE!"), and until recently, the "walk around the dome while having a 'smoke' as fast as you can and getting back without running into security or cops."