CannonFest Recap - We Gathered, We Partied, We Conquered

Photo courtesy of The View From 210

Who would have thought that gathering on a steamy summer day in August to don CBJ gear and talk hockey could be so fun? Matt Wagner of The Cannon did. And he was right on. With the help of The Dark Blue Jacket, the Jacketbackers and just about every CBJ blog out there, his idea blossomed into a fun-filled day that left all who attended hungry for the start of the 2010-11 season. A hearty contingent of bloggers and fans gathered at the Buffalo Wild Wings in Grandview on Sunday to eat some wings, enjoy a few cold beverages and conquer the off-season doldrums. Mission accomplished!

The love for the CBJ and the excitement for the coming season was palpable in the room. The festive atmosphere was complimented by the JacketBackers, who raffled off some great prizes, including an impressive Molson/CBJ beer tower (which was donated by B-Dubs),as well as autographed pictures, hockey pucks and other memorabilia. CBJ brass Todd Sharrock, (VP of Public Relations) and Larry Hoepfner (Executive VP of Business Operations) stopped by to meet the CannonFesters and answer questions.  But Tom Larrow (aka Skraut) may have stolen the show with the premier of his new fan video. As Tom explained to the crowd before the video aired over the big screens at B-Dubs, the motivation for his latest work was to provide last season's disappointing campaign a proper burial. His video, aptly titled "Blue Jackets - Requiem For A Season" did just that. And then some. It produced more than a few goose bumps among those in attendance and got everyone jacked up for some hockey. Tom put many, many hours into producing this video and it shows. It's top notch. Check it out:

Mark2112 of The View From 210 took some great photos of the event. 

The CBJ internet community is a talented collection of die-hard fans and fanatics. Built upon the collective effort of this growing fraternity, CannonFest showed us all what we can do by organizing and using social media to unite for a common cause. Here's hoping that CannonFest was the first of many collaborations to come by the CBJ blogosphere.

Five Reasons Why You Should Attend CannonFest 2010

1. Meet DBJ In Person  There are some really good CBJ blogs. One of the best is The Dark Blue Jacket which is a blog by, well, The Dark Blue Jacket, or DBJ as he is known affectionately. DBJ is a very private person and does not like to reveal his true identity. Very few people know his real name and they had to swear on the NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement to secrecy. There are no known photographs of DBJ on the internet. He is truly a man of mystery. Until now. He will be at CannonFest and you can meet him in the flesh. I am told there will also be limited photo opportunities.  (However, he will be introduced only as The Dark Blue Jacket and is requesting that people address him as Mr. Jacket).  There will also be many other bloggers there, some of whom I have gotten to know in the past year. These people have two things in common: 1) they have an intense love for the Blue Jackets and 2) they are good people. So come meet the CBJ bloggers and make some new friends.

2. See the Premier of Skraut's New CBJ Fan Video The CBJ internet family is not just made up of bloggers. Take Skraut for instance. He creates some very excellent CBJ fan videos and he will be premiering a highly anticipated, brand-spankin' new one at CannonFest on the glorious big screens and rockin' sound system at Buffalo Wild Wings/Grandview. Here's what LTL at Light the Lamp had to say after viewing a sneak peek of the new video:

"For all those thinking about attending CannonFest - I got a sneak peek at Skraut's new video and let me say it is by far his best work yet.   If you don't get goosebumps watching this thing then check your hockey pulse!

It's worth making the trip just to see it.  The Jackets should hire this guy stat!"

3. Win a Molson/CBJ Beer Tower  Nothing announces your CBJ fanship to the world like your very own CBJ beer tower. Those attending CannonFest will have a chance to enter a free drawing for one, compliments of Molson and Buffalo Wild Wings. It even has some very handy measurement indicators on it so you can decide if the beer tower is half-full or half-empty as you watch the Blue Jackets in action.

Attend CannonFest and enter a free drawing to win this bad boy.

4. Enjoy Special CannonFest Deals at Buffalo Wild Wings  Nothing goes with talking hockey like some wings and beer. Accordingly, the organizers of CannonFest have arranged for Buffalo Wild Wings to extend some special deals to those attending.  You can find all the coupons here.

5. Let's Get Ready to Get Ready!   Come on, admit it. You can't wait for hockey season to begin. Camp is just around the corner and you want to talk about how the roster is going to shake out, and how the players will respond to Scott Arniel's systems and coaching style. Surround yourself with CBJ fans and have at it. That's why there is CannonFest and that's why you should be there. Let's get ready to get ready!