The Rugby World Cup Fan Zone was a combination of the Super Bowl and my hometown summer carnival in one location. Even though the United States competes in this elite competition, the sport was not in my level of expertise. But the social aspect of spending all day in the Fan Zone at Newcastle was enough for me to become another one of the thousands of fans.
Like the Super Bowl for American football, everyone shows their dedication to their favorite team somehow. So, it was no surprise to me to see how dedicated fans can be when it comes to sports. Some folks wore something as simple as a team scarf or a blue bandana, while others were decked out in kilts, with their faces painted blue and white. But the scenery became comical when a cold breeze would rush up against a Scottish man’s legs and blow his kilt up north.
The location included rides like a Ferris wheel, bumper cars and swings. There were games to win prizes and plenty of food kiosks that advertised chips as “French fries.” No matter which corner I looked at, there were people around drinking beer and eating chips and gravy. Subsequently, they would gather around the large screen that would broadcast the match. Children were lining up on the muddy ground to ride the 130 foot tall, rainbow-lighted Vertigo. I felt as if I was home in the month of June, where my family and I enjoy corn dogs and beer while watching nighttime baseball games. The memories and feelings made me smile and relaxed as I watched the junior rugby leagues practice in the playing field.
Nothing compared to the cheering and clinking of beer glasses as the Scotland team made try after try. The waves of the little Scottish flags were non-stop and the orders for more Jäger bombs increased. Though my knowledge of rugby did not expand much, it was an unforgettable treat for an American. I joined and cheered with thousands of English, Scottish and Samoans in Newcastle for an event that happens once every four years.