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Brave or foolish? Vikings fans tailgate in temps well below zero

Only the hardiest fans showed up for the pregame party on Sunday.

December 19, 2016 at 2:45AM

It was bone-numbingly cold outside on Sunday morning, with temperatures hovering in the teens below zero.

But that wasn't about to keep hard-core Vikings fans from their pregame tailgating. They just needed to find ways — some innovative, some tried-and-true — to keep the coldest cold at bay.

Season-ticket holders Jen and Kelly Pangburn of Lakeville stayed toasty in a tent belonging to their friend Greg Thomes. There was a portable fire pit, a heater powered with propane and plenty of "liquid courage," they said.

Jody and Deb Sorg planned to fire up a grill and watch the game from the tent. They'd had season tickets but gave them up when the team moved to the new stadium. "We love the tailgating experience," Deb Sorg said. "It's about the people."

Pat Pheifer


Amanda Zeirden had a blanket to keep her warm as fellow tailgaters kept beers on flames to keep them from freezing. Fans are tailgating near U.S. Bank Stadium in temperatures hovering around -13F before Sunday's game between the Vikings and the Indianapolis Colts.
Amanda Zeirden had a blanket to keep her warm as fellow tailgaters kept beers on flames to keep them from freezing. Fans are tailgating near U.S. Bank Stadium in temperatures hovering around -13F before Sunday's game between the Vikings and the Indianapolis Colts. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Minnesota Vikings fan Cheryl Erickson of Plymouth walked to US Bank Stadium in sub-zero temperatures. ] CARLOS GONZALEZ cgonzalez@startribune.com - December 8, 2016, Minneapolis, MN, A look at a favorite Korean dish, sundubu, and a new crop of Korean cookbooks, along with roster of the best Korean restaurants, K-bop will prepare their version of sundubu. ORG XMIT: MIN1612181116250010
Vikings fan Cheryl Erickson of Plymouth shielded her face from a biting wind as she walked to U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Amanda Zeirden had good blanket to keep her warm as fellow tailgaters kept beers on flames to keep there from freezing over.] Fans are tailgating near U.S. Bank Stadium in temperatures hovering around -13F.Richard Tsong-Taatarii/rtsong-taatarii@startribune.com ORG XMIT: MIN1612181151090011
Fans wrapped up and hovered around the flames to keep warm and kept their beers by the fire to prevent the cans from bursting. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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