From Apparel To Specialty Drinks: Prep For Vikings/Packers
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- To find those with purple pride, look no further than the Vikings Locker Room at the Mall of America.
It's a place where fans look to wear team allegiance on their sleeve, where performance and record need no explanation.
The Vikings/Packers playoff shirts went on sale Friday and fans were lining up to buy.
"You have to show them who you're rooting for," said Jeff Girard, a Vikings fan.
Said Vikings fan Mary Wertjes, "I just went to the one at the Dome. It was awesome."
But for some of the Vikings faithful, a simple T-shirt just won't do. Some of the most popular items at Party City are the less traditional Vikings gear.
Purple wigs, glasses, noisemakers, and hats have been selling all week.
"It's been pretty busy," said Debbie Olson, manager at Party City. "They started last weekend and they're going forward to next weekend. It's been exciting."
Purple pride isn't just about the clothes on your back, or party decorations. At the St. Paul Hotel it's also about the drinks you have in hand.
"We like to support our local teams, and without the hockey season, football is all we got right now," said Justin Spano of the St. Paul Hotel.
Ragnar's Elixir -- a mix of liquor and sparkling Italian wine -- is made especially with a Border Battle face-off in mind.
"We'll never do a Packer cocktail, let me tell you that," Spano said. "I'll tell ya, we'd be happy if we only sold two and the Vikings won, though."
In Green Bay, the Packers already announced Lambeau Field will stop selling alcohol early, at the beginning of the third quarter. The combination of a night game and the Border Battle traditionally makes for some rowdy crowds.
