TORONTO - Grey Cup fever is starting to pick up in Toronto - finally.

From the Canadian Press.

The Argonauts’ elimination and a blast of winter weather made for a slow start to what is traditionally a week-long party in the CFL championship host city. The NHL’s Maple Leafs and NBA’s Raptors get most of the attention on the local sports pages this time of year, making things more difficult for Grey Cup festival organizers in a city not known for its mettle.

Many fans were forced indoors earlier this week after a dumping of wet snow, stiff winds and unseasonably cold temperatures. The low point came Thursday morning when the 2007 Grey Cup Committee decided the outdoor street festivals would be cancelled for the day due to inclement weather and safety concerns.

That didn’t impress Murray Bax, a native of Carlyle, Sask., who was decked out in a full-length Riders jacket with matching green pants and hat.

“Cancelling things yesterday because of a little snow - please,” Bax said with a roll of the eyes. “If you can party in 40-below weather in Winnipeg, Regina, Edmonton, a little snow shouldn’t stop things.”

Organizers encouraged party-goers to move indoors to the festival headquarters at the downtown convention centre, where several large rooms are booked for the festivities.

Things were back to normal outdoors on Friday despite the chilly weather, with the Calgary pancake breakfast a popular destination for many.

“As visitors, as tourists, we respect their decision and we abide by it,” said Calgary alderman Joe Connelly, who was helping out on the grill. “But you know what, today is a much better day. We’re having a great time and we encourage everybody to get out and make it a great Grey Cup weekend.”

Connelly was also on hand the last time Toronto hosted a Grey Cup in 1992, when the Stampeders defeated Winnipeg 24-10. He felt there was much more spirit this time around.

“This time is head and shoulders above the last time,” he said. “The whole city is into it. A lot more people out, a lot more excitement, the city just seems more behind it this time which is a good thing. That could be a number of factors.

“I think people realize we’re very fortunate to have the CFL. It’s one of those Canadian icons that we need to protect, foster and promote.”

When compared to previous Grey Cups in other host cities, things have seemed relatively quiet on the streets in the Ontario capital. The convention centre has been the real hotspot this week, where fans of all eight CFL teams take in the fun into the wee hours.

The festival itinerary is loaded with concerts, touch football tournaments, comedy shows and parties leading up to Sunday’s game between the Blue Bombers and Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Ticket scalpers were few and far between even though the game is a sellout. Merchandise booths were busy spots with hats, shirts and jerseys available.

“Today (sales) are catching up. People are more in the mood,” said Sylvia Richard, who was selling merchandise not far from the Rogers Centre.

The influx of university football fans for Friday night’s Vanier Cup also provided a boost to the atmosphere.

Bax, with cold beer in hand, still felt the atmosphere could be improved.

“We’ll keep an open mind and give Toronto a second chance here.”