I wrote my preview of Black and Gold Day for Friday's paper because the game is at 10 a.m. on Saturday and reading about it in Saturday's paper likely wasn't going to give people enough time to get there if they wanted to go.

Call it Black and Gold (and Red) Day.

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats will hold their annual pre-season fan event at the University of Guelph's Alumni Stadium on Saturday, blending a little of the Gryphon red into the traditional Ticat colour scheme.

It will be the first opportunity for Ticat fans to check out the team's temporary digs while also giving Guelphites their first exposure to the team that will be calling their city home for the majority of the 2013 CFL season. The event and the parking are both free.

For the players, it will be the first step in the all-important process of getting comfortable in an unfamiliar place. For example, kicker Luca Congi said he'll be checking out how the wind affects the flight of the football on field-goal attempts.

"Each field has certain winds - Ivor Wynne certainly had its share of unique conditions - and it will be good to go there and get a feel for Alumni, " Congi said. "I think it's going to be important to get out there and bring some familiarity to the surroundings."

The team will take to the field at 10 a.m. for a practice session that's expected to last approximately 2½ hours. It will be structured like a typical training camp workout with individual drills and team sessions featuring the offence taking on the defence. It is not, however, a scrimmage or game simulation, according to head coach Kent Austin.

"It's another day of evaluation for us, " he said.

In addition to the football, there will be plenty of family-oriented fun with live music, inflatables, cheerleaders and mascots on site. Following the practice, fans will be invited onto the field for an autograph and picture session with the entire Ticat squad.

"I hope the fans come out and we can give them a little taste of what's to come. It's always a fun day, " said receiver Andy Fantuz. "I always enjoy meeting CFL fans. It's part of what we do to give back, to be approachable and accessible. It's part of our MO."

The Ticats will play one pre-season game and eight of nine regular-season games at Alumni during 2013 while a new facility is built on the old Ivor Wynne Stadium site.

Temporary stands have been erected, expanding the Guelph stadium's capacity to around 14,000.

Fantuz has made a number of appearances in Guelph the past few months as the team has worked to drum up local support.

"The whole city seems energized and happy to have us there, " he said. "I think it will be a special year."

The real action starts June 20 with an exhibition game against Winnipeg, with the first home regular-season game set for July 7 against Edmonton.

Austin said he's hoping Black and Gold Day can set the tone for the season, when the Ticats will need a genuine home-field advantage - even if that home is away from home.

"It is important from the standpoint that we want sellout crowds and fans that make it harder for opposing teams and an environment that makes it fun to play in, " Austin said.

NOTES: Austin shortened Thursday's practice at McMaster University after starting training camp with four straight days of four-hour sessions. "We just felt like we were a little sluggish - guys were working hard but you could see a little bit of sloppiness. We decided to give them a day to get their legs underneath them." ... Running back Chevon Walker missed a second straight practice with an undisclosed injury. Walker is projected as the Ticats' starter, but Austin said he's not concerned. "It's really very minor. He's in great shape and he looks after his body." … Fullback Isaac Dell and linebacker Louis Richardson also sat out, while receiver Dave Stala, who missed part of Wednesday's session, returned to action.