Watermelon Heads are going to the Grey Cup
28 Nov
If you are baffled by the title of this post, then you have some learnin’ to do about sports in the frozen land of the north. It’s the 97th Superbowl of Canada this weekend (otherwise known as the Grey Cup), and the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Montreal Alouettes (I know, I know, only Canadian teams would have sports team names this lame) are ready to rumble!
Doug and I saw the Roughriders play the Calgary Stampeders in Calgary a couple of years ago while visiting my sister and so thoroughly enjoyed our discovery of Roughrider fans (the Watermelon Heads) and the Canadian Football League (the CFL) that Doug had to snap these photos.
That’s right folks. In Saskatchewan, fans right now are digging out the fruit from their watermelons, cutting the rind to fit their heads, and then lining it with aluminum foil. In fact, I found this priceless description from a fan on what to do if you want to be a Melon Head:
“What I usually do is get a larger melon and cut the bottom quarter or so off (generally I take the part that isn’t as green and throw it away). With the large piece I hollow out the melon, usually I start with a big metal spoon, and then use a table spoon to scrape all the red out of the melon, if you have red in there still your melon will not dry very well, and will attract bugs.
Bugs? Yuck. Not so cool.
Once hollowed cut out the face hole and ear holes, and Voila you have a melon head, there is a picture of one of mine on the header of this page (fat guy in the ridgway jersey). If you are making these for kids one large melon should do, just cut it in half instead of three quarters and hollow and cut to fit. If you have a lucky melon that you want to save for another game, get a can of varathane spray and get about 20 coats all around the meon and it will last untill you get mad at a football game and smash your melon on your knee. Hopefully this will help you.”
It’s tempting to have something to smash on your knee if the game isn’t going well.
Why do they do this? It’s not because watermelons are the biggest cash crop of Saskatchewan. It’s because their team wears green helmets.
You’ve heard of Cheese Heads? They have nothing on the Watermelon Heads. In fact, female Roughrider fans frequently cut the rinds to make watermelon bikinis, which we spotted at the game, but weren’t quick enough to snap a photo so that you’ll believe us (this is the elusive Saskatchewan watermelon bikini woman we’re talking about, like bigfoot).
The game will be played in Calgary at McMahon Stadium on Sunday, and Blue Rodeo will do the halftime show. Never heard of them? Well, you, my friend, are missing out on a classic Canadian band. The Canadian Tenors will be singing the National Anthem, “Oh, Canada.” Classy, eh? Not like our stars who turn the “Star Spangled Banner” into a pop song.
At McMahon Stadium
What, you might ask, is the difference between the CFL and the NFL? Well, the field is longer (110 yards and 65 yards wide), and they only play 3 downs, which makes for a lot more passing. They also have a way to score off of a missed field goal attempt or kickoff, called a rouge. It’s like a touchback or safety. If the Roughriders and the Alouettes end up in a tie, overtime will be settled with both teams getting a possession (unlike the NFL where they flip for it). It’s a very fun game to watch, especially if the Roughriders are in town, because the fans provide entertainment all of their own. Go Roughriders!
HAHAH! Yeah… the last ha was actually a hah, referred to in some part as a “guffaw.” Once again, I’ve gotten some great medicinal laughs reading your blog… so much, in fact, that this time I have to send the link to my beloved football-loving man. He won’t comment though… he’s not all that social.
But I can tell you, he’ll very much like your explanations and analysis of the game.
Sorry I haven’t replied sooner, but I’m glad you’re glad
and had my “it’s a really small world” bell rung, once again, by your message! Great to “bump into ya.” Thank you Catherine (she really is such a gem)!
Hope your Melon heads win! hahahah Must go google more pics of this!
This just made my day. I officially want my own watermelon helmet!!
Hahaha! Very accurate report on how us Canucks get our “fanhood” on, but I’m still a little bitter towards the Watermelon heads for taking away the Stamps chances of winning the Grey Cup at home
Well, by now it’s old news… but the green has turned to blue with the Alouettes winning the Grey Cup by 1 point in the last minute, 28 to 27. But for Calgary tourism, it’s a win-win situation. BTW, all the players, except maybe just one or two, are from the United States… so much about the Canadian Football League.
Here you are, said watermelon bikini
http://hawtness.com/2009/11/25/wtf-girl-photo-she-carved-that-bra-herself/
Oh, that is awesome! Not the one Doug saw though – she wore it over her clothes. This one is definitely more serious!