Image Credit: BC Lions

By Chad Klassen

2019 FAN FEST

Fan Fest an opportunity for fans to meet B.C. Lions, players to give back

Jun 1, 2019 | 6:41 AM

KAMLOOPS — It’s time for the annual B.C. Lions Fan Fest, a fun event that fans, especially in Kamloops, look forward to every year the team’s in the city.

The players also enjoy meeting their supporters and taking a break from practice.

“Getting off our feet for a few hours,” joked Bryan Burnham about his favourite part of Fanfest. “It’ll be good to see some of the fans out here. They get the first taste of the 2019 B.C. Lions.”

The festivities kick off at 5 p.m. on Saturday. Fans will be able to watch a scrimmage and then meet the players.

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“I think that’s what sets our league apart is the accessibility of our players to our fan base,” said quarterback Mike Reilly. “It’s not just located in your own market. When you go on the road, I think all the players on all the teams are very good about interacting with the fans and being available.”

It will be an exciting night for some kids 6-12 years old. They will have the unique opportunity to learn about football from the Lions themselves. Players like Reilly and Burnham will be running clinics beginning at 6 p.m.

“We’ve got most of our starting players helping coach their own positions,” said Reilly, who was last part of Fan Fest in 2012 before he was traded to Edmonton the following season. “So that’s always fun, too, to get out and see some kids that are trying to throw the ball around, coach them up. But more than anything, it’s a chance for them to run around with us and have some fun.”

Burnham added, “It’s being able to take what I’ve learned as a kid, going up through the pros, and just give it back to the kids. They’re at an age where they’re a sponge, soaking everything up, so to be able to give them some good lessons, show them how fun football is and what great lessons they can learn it. That’s the best part.”