Game Day

America is full of regional twangs. Californians know to when to roll "r's" and silent "ll's". New Englanders name their mothers, mum. And in North Dakota, bison are bizon. And don't you say any different. The "correct" pronunciation was one of ESPN College Game Day pre-show lessons.

ESPN in the House  

The show choose little old Fargo for their weekend broadcast. Downtown was transformed from main street America to a Hollywood backlot. I have been to both, so you can quote me on that. Every front page article and morning show topic debated, predicted and anticipated the coming weekend. Starting at 5:30 Saturday morning, tailgaters, die hard fans and college kids began filling up Broadway.

A video of ESPN's rainy welcome

From what I understand College Game Day is a pre-game commentary show. The hosts discuss many of the college games that will be played on a given Saturday. During the broadcast they showcase a particular location. The program ends with a host wearing the mascot head of his predicted winning team. And apparently it is very popular amongst people who like football. 

My Game Day

The cafe I work at is situated on Broadway, meaning my Game Day began at 6am. I served bizon sugar cookies, chai tea lattes and black coffees to many chilly fans. Always a fan of festive wear, a emerald green ribbon tied up my hair and my chosen shirt was hand painted to cheer on Fargo's favorite team. 

Morning was a cool and crisp forty degrees. The day went on to shed its autumnal tones, and by the time I closed up shop at 4 o'clock, the sky was shining summer sun. My saturday work day concluded with beer and whiskey at the Pickled Parrot (I know, I know what an awful name) with a favorite co-worker and favorite boyfriend. 

Picture This 

Since I was hard at work preparing hot chocolates and green teas all of Saturday I wasn't able to adventure around the crowded Game Day set. However I was able to snap a few photos along my walk to work on the rainy Friday morning before. 

Fourth Quarter Remarks

The preparations for Game Day were at times a bit manic and obsessive, there was no way to escape the buzz surrounding the event. While working the front counter last week, I queried each customer about his or her Saturday plans. While the responses varied the sentiments were the same; hometown pride shone in every pair of eyes. All 100,000 citizens of North Dakota's biggest city are not bashful about their love for their chilly and secluded hometown. 

I have heard that Fargo is entering a new era. The city is changing, the population is diversifying and the businesses are becoming local once again. People are proud of where they are from, and there no intention to leave. North Dakota is a home that holds on. And for many, an ESPN TV show was just another confirmation of what a great place they live in.