Only a single dad would think of hosting a sit down Thanksgiving feast for 22 and schedule a touch football game two hours before dinner.
That's exactly what happened last Sunday at Beach Grove Elementary where Tsawwassen residents took to the field in the firstever Thanksgiving Kitchen Bowl.
"I wanted my kids to have a Thanksgiving they would remember so we started inviting a few friends and neighbours, and then asked them to invite anyone they knew of who wanted a place to have a Thanksgiving dinner," said organizer Scott Armstrong.
"I casually mentioned the idea of throwing a football around before dinner and
before I knew it we had 22 for dinner and a touch football game."
When asked why he wore an apron out on the field, Armstrong joked, "Apparently the only way any fans would come watch us (we had three) was if I wore the apron. Apparently the quality of football by itself was not enough to get them out."
And how did the meal come together with everyone out playing football? Armstrong's daughter Holly was good enough to stay behind and baste the two turkeys.
"This overwhelming feast would not have been possible without the help of great friends like Gwen, Ute, Paul, Monique, Winnie, Dave P. and Dave
K., Pam and my son Dawson," said Armstrong. "Actually, a highlight of the day was playing football with Dawson for the first time."
He said it was great to see a group of relative strangers bond so quickly it seemed like they had been friends forever.
And just as the night was winding down, several in the group picked up their musical instruments for an impromptu jam session.
The event was such a success Armstrong is already looking ahead to the possibility of a second annual Thanksgiving Kitchen Bowl next year.
"If both my body and kitchen heal, for sure. And this time we hope to double our fan base."
