The call of bagpipes and thump of drums signalled the return of one of the Grey CupB次元官网网址檚 oldest traditions: Tuffy Nuff, the mascot of Calgary Stampeders supporters had arrived.

A Scottish marching band led Tuffy, a 17-year-old black mare, into the lobby of a Hamilton hotel Thursday, continuing a custom that dates back to 1948. Di Wensel, the chair of the Calgary Grey Cup Committee, had the honour of riding Tuffy into a local restaurant then across the parking lot into the hotel.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 one of my most favourite things I do all year,B次元官网网址� said Wensel, still astride the horse. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e been coming to the Grey Cup for 20 years but being a part of this great, amazing group is fantastic, representing the city of Calgary and the Stampede is awesome.B次元官网网址�

An overzealous Stampeders fan rode a horse into the lobby of the Royal York Hotel, one of the fanciest hotels in downtown Toronto, in 1948. Calgary won its first of eight Grey Cups that year and so Stampeders fans have recreated the scene every season since.

Although itB次元官网网址檚 unknown how staff reacted to the horseB次元官网网址檚 appearance in the Royal YorkB次元官网网址檚 lobby 75 years ago, Tuffy is always a welcome guest now.

Hotel staff at the TownePlace Suites by Marriott in Hamilton greeted the horse with a basket of carrots and apples and had Tuffy B次元官网网址渟ign inB次元官网网址� by placing a hoof on an ink pad.

B次元官网网址淲e feel so welcome wherever we go,B次元官网网址� said Wensel, with bagpipes still playing in the background. B次元官网网址淒oesnB次元官网网址檛 have to be Calgary or even in Alberta.

B次元官网网址淲e go to B.C., we were in Regina last year and it was fantastic.B次元官网网址�

Cy Addley, who is a member of the Calgary Grey Cup Committee despite being from Chatham, Ont., has helped Tuffy enter hotel lobbies for decades.

B次元官网网址淚 saw him do it in 1948 and IB次元官网网址檝e helped him do it since 1975,B次元官网网址� said the 88-year-old Addley. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a lot of organization, a whole lot. A lot of hours to do all this.B次元官网网址�

The Stampeders are not in this yearB次元官网网址檚 Grey Cup. The Montreal Alouettes will represent the East Division on Sunday and the West division winners the Winnipeg Blue Bombers will play in their fourth consecutive CFL championship game.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 a loyal Stampeders fan and I love to see my team play but I just want to see a great game,B次元官网网址� said Wensel. B次元官网网址淚 think that weB次元官网网址檙e going to see a fantastic game between the Blue Bombers and the Alouettes.B次元官网网址�

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