The Fan Fair will feature the Stanley Cup, NHL mascots, and autograph signings as Toronto welcomes NHL fans for All-Star weekend.
The Fan Fair will feature the Stanley Cup, NHL mascots, and autograph signings as Toronto welcomes NHL fans for All-Star weekend.
If you haven't heard already, the NHL Fan Fair is coming to the Metro Toronto Convention Center for NHL All-Star weekend.
The festivities will run from Thursday to Sunday, allowing fans four days of entertainment surrounding the NHL and their partners. There'll be several events within the fan fair itself, including the NHL Pride Cup on Saturday as well as the Mascot Showdown, which will take place on each of the four days.
But if you're tight on time and can only do a short visit, what are the most important activations to see while at the Metro Toronto Convention Center? My top choices will be below.
The Cheetos Glove
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As you walk into the Fan Fair, this will be something you cannot miss. Cheetos has an activation where you can play their claw machine to earn "approved swag," but you can also take a photo with the giant hockey glove that has cheese dust on it.
You can also get free Cheetos, so it's a win-win.
OLG's Basement Target Practice
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One of the coolest activations at the Fan Fair has to be the OLG booth, where you can test your hockey skills trying to hit all the targets, which are appliances that can be found in your basement.
Whether it's a puck-marked washing machine and dryer, a hot water tank, or a snowboard, you'll be able to test your accuracy with wooden hockey sticks and foam pucks to help raise money for local charities.
If you enjoy target practice, this is the place for you.
The Maple Leafs' Dressing Room
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Whether you're a fan of the Maple Leafs or not, walking through this replica dressing room will give you an almost-exact look of what it's like inside their locker room at Scotiabank Arena.
All of their big players, including Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Mitch Marner, John Tavares, and Morgan Rielly have their jerseys hung up in a stall. So, if you've never been inside the real dressing room, this would be a great photo opportunity for any Maple Leafs fan.
Hockey Hall of Fame NHL Trophy Showcase
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As you stroll around the convention center, one area you literally cannot miss is the Hockey Hall of Fame section. There, you'll be able to take a look at 19 of the NHL's most prestigious trophies, plus some cool artifacts.
If you're willing to wait in line, fans will also have the chance to take a photo with the Stanley Cup. I'm not too sure if it's the one that sits inside the Hockey Hall of Fame, or if it's the one the player's have when they win, but it will be inside a glass casing.
With that being said, I'm assuming it's the real real Stanley Cup.
Also, off to the side of the Hockey Hall of Fame trophy showcase is a NHL Fan Fair logo, which is made of all Rubik's cubes. A neat piece of art that you cannot miss if you're walking around the Fan Fair.
Giant drewhouse Bear
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One of the celebrities coming to Toronto this weekend is Justin Bieber. He'll be the celebrity captain for Auston Matthews' team during All-Star weekend. But if you're a fan of his company, drewhouse, you can be sure to see a massive bear at the convention center.
You can find the bear hidden on the left side of the fair, close to the Hockey Hall of Fame trophy showcase. Like the Cheetos glove, this is something you cannot miss.
Rogers Hardest Shot
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There are several interaction activations to test your hockey skills, but my favorite of them all has to be the hardest shot. There, you can test your strength taking a shot and seeing the speed of it.
Also inside the Rogers activation us a Sportsnet broadcast desk, which you'll be able to sit at to have your photo taken. Fans will also be able to meet NHL alumni and Sportsnet personalities all weekend long.
So, if you're in the city and have some time to kill at All-Star weekend, be sure to check out the NHL Fan Fair. Even if you have an hour or so, it's something that's worth visiting while you're in the city.
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