By Karen Bloom
Those "other" boys of summer are back. It's time to get ready for another football season and there's no better way to do than by being part of the scene at Jets Fest. Part training camp, part interactive NFL theme park, the entire experience is one that appeals to kids, adults, and those somewhere in-between.The Herald visited Training Camp '05 to get a first-hand look at what draws thousands of fans from the area - and throughout the tristate region - on steamy summer days and nights year after year to take in some sports entertainment and catch a glimpse of the players. We were accompanied on our journey by three young fans, ages 13 and 11, from Lynbrook and West Hempstead.It was the first visit for all three, and like the others there, their enthusiasm and excitement was contagious from the moment we entered, walked through the Modell's tent (chock full of the latest in Jets apparel and other fan delights) and onto the Jets Fest grounds, at Hofstra University's parking lots near the soccer field, where the team holds its practices. There, the hundreds of fans were engrossed in the many interactive games that make up the Jets Fest experience, before the practice session began.After the Herald's young friends checked out the scene, they were quickly drawn into the action, especially the opportunity to kick a field goal and test their arm strength and accuracy by throwing a football at inflatable receiver.Generation Jets Fest has been a staple of Jets' training camps since 1997. And since then, fans have been coming back - year after year in many cases - for football-related fun combined with the chance to see their team in action. Last year, Generation Jets Fest hosted more than 35,000 fans, averaging more than 1,700 visitors a day. "Everyone has a good time," said Mike Pagliughi, of Smithtown, as he watched his son Andrew, 7, let the football fly at Quarterback Challenge. "The kids love the interactive stuff and I like to watch the practice. There's something for everyone. We do it every year."Another "veteran," Nicole Petrullo, 10, practiced her kicking skills at Field Goal Kick. She was visiting with her family, from East Meadow, for whom this has been a summer tradition going on 10 years. Besides the chance to throw and kick a football, there are plenty of other activities for the fans to enjoy before and after they watch their team on the practice field.
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NFL Touchdown is a two-person race where the participants run through and over a series of obstacles.
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Double Climb and Slide is an obstacle course leading to two 25 foot slides.
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4th and Goal is a two-person inflatable where you go over the goal line in an attempt for a touchdown. New this year, Touchdown Tuesdays, debuted on Aug. 3. Despite close to 100 degree temperatures, more than 100 kids participated in passing and receiving drills on the Jets practice field. The turf was incredibly hot, but that didn't stop the kids from piling up the touchdowns! Kids 14 and under can continue to score every Tuesday through Aug. 23. In another new feature, Punt, Pass & Kick, kids can test their skills passing, punting and kicking, through a series of challenges. The competition takes place after the practice session ends, every Wednesday through Aug. 24.
Jets Fest at Jets Training Camp
Now through Wednesday, Aug. 24. Daily session begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 6 p.m. New York Jets Training Complex, Hofstra University, North Campus, Hempstead. Call the team's fan line at (516) 560-8288 for the most up-to-date practice schedule, or check online at www.newyorkjets.com.
The fan's smiling faces reflected the enthusiasm and spirit of optimism in the air. "It's going to be a great season," exclaimed one excited fan, as he settled in to watch that evening's practice. "We finally got a kicker and we're going to win big this year!"For one Jets fan, at least, it was a satisfying summer night.
Photos by James J.
Messerschmidt/Herald
