It含羞草研究社檚 under a blissful sun that the BC Lions trained in Langford ahead of Victoria's first-ever CFL game. 

Fans were invited to watch the team's practice at Langford含羞草研究社檚 Starlight Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 29, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

含羞草研究社淚t含羞草研究社檚 our first full day in Victoria for the Pacific Touchdown game and we decided to bring a full practice to Langford,含羞草研究社� said Matt Baker, BC Lion senior manager of communications. 含羞草研究社淥pen practices are always a good avenue to connect with our fans and let people have up-close access to the team.含羞草研究社�

In the stands, father-son duo Mike and Austin Vissers watched closely as the team drilled offensive formations. 

含羞草研究社淎ustin plays football for the atom team here in town, so I thought it would be fun to come out and see what it's all about,含羞草研究社� said Mike. 

Taking a few hours out of their day, the two seized this unique opportunity to watch the Vancouver team practice in their hometown. 

含羞草研究社淚t's a pretty cool event to have them come out and practice in Langford and Victoria for the game this weekend,含羞草研究社� said Mike. 含羞草研究社淗aving the teams from outside coming to the city can do nothing but good.含羞草研究社�

A few seats away, another father-son pair, Duncan and Jeremy Smith sat with their eyes fixed on the turf. Hailing from Victoria, the two Lions fans were particularly pleased to see Nathan Rourke returning to his birthplace of Victoria. 

As Islanders, a ferry ride away from the action in Vancouver, the two are pleased about the CFL含羞草研究社檚 decision to host a game in their home city. 

含羞草研究社淔or those of us who are in the corners or whatever, it's helpful,含羞草研究社� said Duncan. 含羞草研究社淎s long as they don't mind doing it, we love having them here.含羞草研究社�

Luckily for them, Duncan and Jeremy were fortunate to be among the 14,000 attendees who secured tickets, which .

含羞草研究社淚 know it's going to be a great crowd no matter what, but if they win that will be great,含羞草研究社� said Duncan. 

Final preparations

Despite the logistical challenges involved in organizing the event, Baker said everything is now falling into place as preparations ahead of the game enter their final stretch.

含羞草研究社淭he field's getting painted today so that's when it starts to feel real,含羞草研究社� Baker said. 含羞草研究社淚'm going to get my first look at it after this, so I'm excited to see it. The build is pretty much complete; it's just a matter of dotting the i含羞草研究社檚 and crossing the t含羞草研究社檚.含羞草研究社�

After the Maritimes hosted several Touchdown series games, Baker is proud that Victoria will host the series含羞草研究社� inaugural game in Western Canada, emphasizing that the city has always been 含羞草研究社渁 natural fit含羞草研究社� for the team. 

含羞草研究社淸The Lions] always had a strong fan base here, not only in Victoria, but up and down Vancouver Island, so to reward them with a game含羞草研究社� is something that the entire club is proud to do and I'm excited because this is going to feel like kind of a mini Grey Cup festival too,含羞草研究社� said Baker

While Victoria might be the surrogate home to the Lions, Baker said this event will be an opportunity for all football fans to gather and celebrate.

Fans who don't have tickets can join the watch party hosted at Central Park which neighbours the Royal Athletic Park. Tickets are $25 for adults and $12 for kids. To buy tickets or for more information about the game, visit .