This year, Thanksgiving dinner is taking on a new twist for a couple in Vancouver. Instead of their usual elaborate spread with all the traditional fixings, Helen Vlahos and her partner, Wolf Schneider, will be enjoying a simple takeaway turkey sandwich with cranberry sauce. For them, the highlight of the day will be watching the much-anticipated Blue Jays baseball game, as they are visiting Toronto for a family event this weekend.
Vlahos emphasized that the baseball game holds more significance for them than a lavish turkey dinner. The Blue Jays are set to play Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the Seattle Mariners on Thanksgiving Sunday, marking their first appearance in the series since 2016. Game two is scheduled for Monday, coinciding with the Thanksgiving holiday.
While many fans are moving their dinner plans in front of their TVs to catch the game, Vlahos and Schneider are looking forward to returning home to Vancouver just in time to settle on their couch for the game. They mentioned that even if they had planned a big celebration, the day would still revolve around watching the game together.
Before heading back, the couple made a stop at the Blue Jays’ official merchandise store in downtown Toronto to pick out their Schneider jerseys. Schneider shared that they had made a pact to purchase the shirts if the Jays made it to the championship series, a promise they fulfilled after putting it off for a while.
The championship series will shift to Seattle for subsequent games, with the possibility of games extending until late October. Fans across the country are rallying behind the Blue Jays this postseason, with some opting to prioritize the baseball game over traditional Thanksgiving festivities.
Among those choosing baseball over turkey dinner is Kohlman Zarowny and his son Kai, who traveled from Lloydminster, Alta., to witness the game live at the Rogers Centre in Toronto. For the six-year-old Kai, it’s an exciting change from their usual holiday routine, and he’s hopeful for another Blue Jays victory.
A recent survey by Rogers revealed that a significant number of Canadians, particularly Gen Xers, would skip Thanksgiving dinner to attend a Blue Jays game. The enthusiasm for the team’s success this season is palpable nationwide, with many fans eagerly supporting them through the playoffs.
For Nicole La Flèche from Sudbury, Ont., watching the baseball game with her father is a cherished bonding experience. She values the time spent with him, listening to his explanations about the game, making the baseball match an integral part of their Thanksgiving celebration.
