Calgary Stampeders Jeff Pilon, right, lets fans touch the Grey Cup after Tuesday's rally. (Jeff McIntosh/Canadian Press)

Fans in red-and-white jerseys mingled with kids and business people on their lunch break at Calgary's downtown Olympic Plaza to celebrate the Calgary Stampeders' Grey Cup victory.

Tuesday's noon-hour victory rally, organized by the city, was a chance for people to cheer the Stampeders and congratulate them on bringing the CFL championship hardware back to the city for the first time since 2001.

The 22-14 win on Sunday over the Alouettes in Montreal is the sixth Grey Cup for the franchise.

A Calgary Stampeders fan cheers as the team is honoured by the city. Thousands of people attended the rally. (Jeff McIntosh/Canadian Press)

The crowd of about 12,000 cheered as each player, wearing white Stetsons, was introduced. The loudest reception was unleashed when head coach John Hufnagel, quarterback Henry Burris, linebacker JoJuan Armour, defensive back Wes Lysack emerged with the Grey Cup.

"This was the team that was said all year long couldn't win the big one. Well, this team, this team doesn't lose the big one," said Hufnagel.

Armour acknowledged the team doesn't have a lot of all-star players: "What we do have is a bunch of guys that go out, we play with a purpose, and we win. And that's what we do best."

As fans chanted his name, kicker Sandro DeAngelis called the victory one of the greatest experiences of his life.

"I know this sounds cliché, but you win as a team, but you also win with your fans. And we cannot begin to thank you from the bottom of our hearts — from packing McMahon, to believing in us through all the tough times — I truly want the city to enjoy this," he said.

Burris, who was named the game's MVP, called Calgary the "hardest working city in Canada" in thanking the fans and then added: "Get ready because the Cup will be circulating the city, and everybody, it tastes so sweet."

Quarterback Henry Burris thanked Calgary fans for their support. (CBC)

Among the dignitaries who spoke briefly was Alberta Lt.-Gov. Norman Kwong, who has been a player, president and general manager for the team.

"A lot has changed in football in the 60 years — 60 years, wow — since I played on the Stampeders' first Grey Cup-winning team. But there's one thing about the 2008 final that was exactly the same as Calgary's first Grey Cup back in 1948 and that's you, the fans," he said.

Some fans got the chance to touch the Cup as the event wrapped up, and several players stayed behind to sign autographs.

Calgary Mayor Dave Bronconnier declared the day, "Calgary Stampeder Appreciation Day," and the flame on the Calgary Tower was lit to celebrate the victory.

All the excitement is translated some high demand for Stampeders' paraphernalia, season tickets and passes to next year's Grey Cup game, which will be held in Calgary.

Cheerleaders entertain the crowd at the Grey Cup rally Tuesday. (CBC)

Rosa Spadafora, who works in the Stampeders' ticket office, said she fielded phone calls all day from people wanting tickets to the 2009 Grey Cup — even though they're not expected to go on sale until next month.

"The more, the merrier!" she said.

Pricing for the championship game has not yet been set, but 10,000 temporary seats will be added to McMahon Stadium, bumping capacity to 45,000.

About 500 enthusiastic fans in red-and-white jerseys turned out to welcome the Grey Cup champs home from Montreal on Monday in a parking lot outside McMahon Stadium.