On Thursday, November 27, 2025, the heart of downtown Windsor was awash in the distinctive Honolulu blue and silver of the Detroit Lions, as hundreds of dedicated fans gathered for an outdoor Thanksgiving Day block party. Despite near-freezing temperatures, the spirit was warm on Ouellette Avenue, just kilometres from Ford Field, where the Lions were set to face the Green Bay Packers.
A Festive Atmosphere for Football Fans
The free, family-friendly event, hosted in the 300 block of Ouellette Avenue, created a vibrant festival atmosphere. It featured a multitude of NFL-themed activities, including interactive games, photo opportunities, a scavenger hunt with prizes, and various food vendors. For the first time, downtown Windsor also implemented an open carry event for alcoholic beverages, allowing attendees to move freely between outdoor bars and patios.
Enthusiastic fans like Christina Klingbile and her sister Tori were fully immersed in the experience. By 11 a.m., just one hour into the party, the pair had already completed four Lions activity stations. Both women wore team jerseys and had their faces painted in the Lions' iconic colors. "This is my first time ever coming to a football block party. It's amazing," Tori Klingbile said, expressing their excitement at being in a position to win one of the major scavenger hunt prizes.
Community Support and City Enthusiasm
The event was met with strong approval from city officials. Ward 3 Councillor Renaldo Agostino was ecstatic about the turnout, telling the Windsor Star, "I'm glad all these people are down here having fun. It's great to see kids walking around." He emphasized the importance of such events for the city's core, stating, "I said years ago that downtown needed to be the heart of the city once again. To do that, you've got to play with the big boys. It doesn't get much bigger than the Lions and the NFL."
The main game, which kicked off at 1 p.m., was broadcast live on a massive 32-foot screen for the Windsor crowd. The party continued post-game with a live performance by the Jody Raffoul Band on a stage set up on Ouellette Avenue.
Parallel Event Supports Local Youth
While the block party energized the downtown core, another long-standing tradition continued elsewhere in the city. Advance Business Systems hosted its 34th annual American Thanksgiving Football Classic at the Windsor Yacht Club. This networking and charity event raised crucial funds for Ignite Academy, an organization providing after-school programming for children in areas with high rates of childhood poverty, including west Windsor, downtown Windsor, and Leamington.
The dual celebrations underscored the deep cross-border connection to American football and a shared commitment to community, making for a memorable Thanksgiving Thursday in Windsor.
