Thousands of Toronto Raptors fans crowded Jurassic Parks across Canada
In preparation for Game 1 of the NBA Finals, “mini” Jurassic Parks sprouted up across Ontario.
After the Raptors’ win against the Golden State Warriors 118-109 in Game 1, two things were clear. There was nothing mini about these viewing parties and they didn’t just spread across the province, they covered the country.
Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment announced that 10 Canadian cities were approved to set up their own viewing parties.
#JurassicPark in #Toronto was packed for Game 1 of the #NBAFinals 🏀 #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/2cdVMK0hD9
— blogTO (@blogTO) May 31, 2019
Of course, fans were lining up at the Jurassic Park in Toronto, right outside of Scotiabank Arena, for 15 hours before the game even started. The square reached its capacity of 6,000 people, plus others flooded onto the surrounding closed off streets.
Halifax set up Jurassic Park East at Rogers Square last night, where the Raptors played their first game back in 1995.
Halifax creates an East Coast Jurassic Park downtown.
— ColleenJonescbc (@cbccolleenjones) May 31, 2019
Chants of "Let's go Raptors"
They say they embrace Canada's team!#WeTheNorth #RaptorsNation pic.twitter.com/1uLK7Tnveh
In Mississauga, around 20,000 fans crowded together at Celebration Square and in Brampton there were additional road closures to accommodate the crowds.
#wethenorth super high energy at celebration square Mississauga, Congrats Raptors pic.twitter.com/t2Y6LMGMMJ
— Musheer Alambath (@mussheer) May 31, 2019
The streets surrounding #BurlassicPark were closed off for the larger than expected crowd of over a thousand people.
FANS JAM BURLASSIC PARK: Over a thousand @Raptors fans jam @cityburlington civic square - renamed Burlassic Park for game 1 of the NBA finals- first time held north of the border. Crowd con't to swell, city workers have now CLOSED Brant St outfront city hall. #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/BFZCf53zQ4
— Graham Paine (@GPmedia_24) May 31, 2019
Scarborough also got in the action with their own version of Jurassic Park.
#JurassicParkScarborough supporting the @Raptors in Albert Campbell Square! #NBAFinals #RaptorsvsWarriors pic.twitter.com/U18Ab3gJ39
— Councillor Michael Thompson (@Thompson_37) May 31, 2019
Windsor has already announced that it will be showing the game on Sunday at Charles Clark Square. Vaughan, Pickering, Halton Hills and Newmarket also got the thumbs up to set up their own Jurassic Parks.
@JimWatsonOttawa can you please broadcast publicly @Raptors games outdoor in "Lansdowne Park". Fans in Ottawa won't have to go "Jurassic Park"
— Nkunzis (@ENkunzis) May 28, 2019
Fans in Ottawa, Montreal, Winnipeg and Calgary have started social media campaigns, lobbying for their own viewing parties.
Lauren O'Neil
