Railgating: Building Up The Game Day Experience In Mpls.
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A Vikings tradition that dates back to the days of Met Stadium is about to get a makeover.
Folks who enjoy pregame barbecues and drinks out in the parking lots love their tailgating, but starting this weekend, they'll be joined by folks doing something called "railgating." You don't need a car, or ticket, to do it.
It's about building up the game day experience in downtown Minneapolis.
Mayor R. T. Rybak is calling this project the Purple Path, referring to the area along Fifth avenue south from the Warehouse district to the Metrodome where they would like to increase game day activity.
The first major thing they're doing is transforming the block of Fifth Street South between Fifth Ave and Portland along the light rail line into the home of railgating.
At Sunday's home game, 16 food trucks will be lined up along this block serving breakfast and lunch from 7 a.m. until game time. The hope is to attract fans who take the light rail or drive to the games to come down earlier.
Rybak says this is the first of a series of steps in making the Vikings Game Day experience rival that of the Packers.
Of course, the sales tax from food and drink sales at railgating and at bars and restaurants downtown will help pay for the new stadium.
The food truck owners are pitching in for the cleanup and portable toilets.
Rybak says the city also plans to make more parking meters available for tailgating.
