As the Jaguars open their fifth year of training camp at Ferrell Fields on Friday, there are many changes in store for Jaguars fans who want to watch the team practice over the next three weeks.
The most notable change is the addition of 1,200 grandstand seats on the east side of Ferrell Fields, which is adjacent to the south end zone of ALLTEL Stadium. There are another 1,250 grandstand seats on the north side of the three-field complex. But fans attending the afternoon practice sessions between Friday and August 14 will also be able to play interactive games, get autographs from players, get their faces painted, meet members of the Roar cheerleaders and mascot Jaxson de Ville, and buy official Jaguars training camp merchandise in an air-conditioned tent. And some lucky fans will have a chance to win $50,000 in the Pass for Cash contest on Saturday.
"We want people to come out and have as much fun as possible," said Wayne Weaver, chairman and CEO of the Jaguars. "Training camp is the beginning of what we hope will be the most successful season in Jaguars' history, and we want all of our fans to be a part of it from the beginning."
Several events have been scheduled in conjunction with training camp on a number of days:
July 27 - Cool Cats Day. Members of the club for kids and one guest can watch the afternoon practice with Jaxson de Ville and eat dinner with him and a surprise guest afterward.
July 29 - Florida/Georgia Blood Alliance Day. Anyone donating blood will receive two complimentary tickets to the August 11 preseason game against the New York Giants at ALLTEL Stadium.
July 31 - Gatorade Jr. Day. All NFL Flag participants and Jacksonville-area Pop Warner players can watch practice in a reserved area and attend a two-hour football skills clinic (limited to the first 500 kids).
August 1 - The Jaguars will practice against the New Orleans Saints at 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
August 2 - Cheerleader Day. All Junior Roar, local cheerleaders and their parents can watch practice, have dinner with the Roar and Jaxson de Ville, and participate in a Roar cheerleading miniclinic.
August 14 - The second practice session of the day will be inside ALLTEL Stadium at 6:30 p.m. and marks the last day of training camp.
Each day, 200 fans will receive autographs from Jaguars players in a designated area following each afternoon practice. Autograph cards will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
