FEATURE STORIES

Aug. 10, 2006

By Amie Eller
UW-RF Public Affairs

This summer's Family Fun Night, sponsored by Viking Coca Cola of River Falls, turned out to be another fun-filled and exciting event of the Kansas City Chiefs Summer Training Camp.

This year's event brought in a total of 2,543 fans at Ramer Field Sports Complex, with fans arriving as early as 3 p.m. The overall setting of Family Fun Night included several concession stands with everything from beverages to brats and hotdogs. There were also face painting tents and a Chiefs Experience, which enabled fans to test their football skills with an obstacle course, a precision course, as well as a field goal chip shot and catching station.

The evening begun with skydivers from the Indianhead Sport Parachute Club making an exciting and accurate entrance on Ramer Field at 5:20 p.m. Fans cheered and applauded as the skydivers descended from the clear sky onto the field right before them.

After the skydivers opened the night, fans were welcomed to speeches from Representative Mark Pettis, Chancellor Don Betz, Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle, Head Coach Herm Edwards and Executive Vice President Denny Thum. Fans were excited to see Governor Doyle and cheered when he said, "The Chiefs are important to the entire state of Wisconsin and a favorite team in the ASC." Doyle also went on to say that Wisconsin is proud to host the Chiefs for the past 16 years and consider Chiefs fans to be a great part of River Falls. The biggest applause came when Edwards spoke. Edwards thanked fans and ensured them of a strong upcoming season. Edwards said, "The Chiefs play with passion and will not embarrass Kansas City, we promise you that!"

Also attending at this year's Family Fun Night Senator Sheila Harsdorf and River Falls Mayor Don Richards.

The autograph session was organized that players and coaches would be signing for 20 minutes and fans were able to walk around the track to receive the signatures. Among the most popular autographs to receive were Edwards, quarterback Trent Green, wide receiver Dante Hall and running back Larry Johnson. Patient fans waiting orderly to get their favorite coaches and players autographs while the 20 minutes counted down on the clock.

Once the autograph session was completed, excited fans retired off the track and practice began. Fans were thrilled to see the Chiefs' offensive and defensive units practice from 7-8:30 p.m. Once practice was completed, lucky Punt, Pass, and Kick winners had their trophies presented to them by Edwards. The winners each had their photographs taken with Edwards before a final group photo completed the event.

Following the Punt, Pass, and Kick event was a beautiful fireworks show provided by Rolf Halverson Fireworks. The fireworks display then topped off the memorable evening. When asked about the firework show, Chiefs fans Roy and Cheryl Bartow from Olathe, Kan., said, "The fireworks were beautiful and a great way to end a fun evening, and our kids really liked them!" The Bartows also commented that the entire evening was fun for their family and that they only hope next year can top off the beautiful weather.

Family Fun Night is always a great and fun-filled time for any Chief fan, and a great way for the Kansas City Chiefs to say "thank you" to what matters the most-the fans!