‘Back to Football’ Party July 31 celebrates Panthers’ return

[Panthers_Lover]

There are two hotels/motels within walking distance. The closest is a place you really don't want to stay.

The other is the Marriott at Renaissance Park. It can be a bit pricey, but again, it is within walking distance. It also is close to the central business district, where there is Wild Wings, Delaney's Irish Pub, Terry's Tap Room at RJ Rockers, Groucho's, Lime Leaf (Thai food) and a few other restaurants.

Other hotels are within easy driving distance and are fairly inexpensive -- Courtyard Marriott, Fairfield Inn, etc.

I do strongly suggest you not stay at the Days Inn on Church Street near campus. Other fans have and do stay there, but I would not recommend it.

[Panthers_Lover]

I put this in another thread, but thought it might be appropriate here, too.

Practice schedule:

Thursday, July 29

9 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Friday, July 30

3 p.m.

Saturday, July 31

9 a.m.

6:30 p.m. -- Gibbs Stadium. Back to Football party 4:30-6:30, and resuming after practice; Gibbs Stadium plaza. Band, TopCats, Sir Purr, food and beverages (including beer) available for purchase. Junior Training Camp, 3:30-6:30 p.m., intramural fields (near Gibbs)

Sunday, Aug. 1

3 p.m. -- Family Fun Day. Enjoy the Kids Combine, Military Experience and more activities for the whole family. The Kids Combine promotes the NFL's Play 60 youth fitness initiative through a variety of interactive football drills. The South Carolina National Guard will help fans experience the military with hands-on displays. Activities begin at 2 p.m.; practice at 3 p.m.

Monday, Aug. 2

9 a.m.

6:30 p.m. -- Stay on the hill after the evening practice and watch a football movie on the big screen under the stars. See "Radio." Popcorn, candy and drinks will be available for purchase. "Radio" is based on the story of T.L. Hanna High School (Anderson, S.C.) football coach Harold Jones and James "Radio" Kennedy, who will be in attendance for a meet and greet prior to the showing of the movie.

Tuesday, Aug. 3

3 p.m. - T-Shirt Tuesdays - Players will toss T-shirts into the crowd along the autograph zone after practice.

Wednesday, Aug. 4

9 a.m.

3 p.m. - Snyder Field

Thursday, Aug. 5

3 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 6

9 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Monday, Aug. 9

9 a.m.

6:30 p.m. - Stay on the hill after the evening practice and watch a football movie on the big screen under the stars. See "The Blind Side". Popcorn, candy and drinks will be available for purchase. "The Blind Side" is about Baltimore Ravens tackle Michael Oher, who was a high school and college teammate of Panthers rookie defensive end Greg Hardy.

Tuesday, Aug. 10 - T-Shirt Tuesdays - Players will toss T-shirts into the crowd along the autograph zone after practice.

Saturday, Aug. 14

9 a.m.

6:30 p.m. - Tailgate Party - Come early and tailgate at Gibbs Stadium Plaza from 4:30-6:30 p.m. before the Panthers practice. Have some of the best barbecue and ribs in the Upstate while listening to music performed by a local favorite bluegrass band. Admission is free.

Sunday, Aug. 15

3 p.m. -- Family Fun Day (see description above)

Monday, Aug. 16

9 a.m.

3 p.m. - Snyder Field

Tuesday, Aug. 17

3 p.m. -- T-shirt Tuesday (see description above)

Panther Pals program for children ages 6-13 will be held at these practices:

July 29 -- 9 a.m.

July 30 -- 3 p.m.

July 31 -- 9 a.m.

Aug. 1 -- 3 p.m.

Aug. 2 -- 9 a.m.

Aug. 3 -- 3 p.m.

Aug. 4 -- 9 a.m.

Aug. 5 -- 3 p.m.

Aug. 6 -- 9 a.m.

Aug. 9 -- 9 a.m.

Aug. 10 -- 3 p.m.

Aug. 14 -- 9 a.m.

Aug. 15 -- 3 p.m.

Aug. 16 -- 9 a.m.

Aug. 17 -- 3 p.m.

Panther Pals offers children between the ages of six and 13 an opportunity to watch part of practice from field level and then spend time with a player afterwards. Kids can register to be a Panther Pal at the welcome tent located outside the entrance to the practice fields. Five names will be randomly chosen about 30 minutes before the end of practice. The children selected will receive a Panther Pal T-shirt and will be escorted to a special area to watch the conclusion of practice.

(Schedules subject to change without notice.)

See the Panthers Web site for other training camp details -- http://www.panthers.com/schedule/tra...-schedule.html

If you have questions about Panther Pals or the Back to Football Party, ask me here, PM me or email me at [email protected].

[AppTrex77]

I have a little tip for you guys who will need to ward off mosquitoes down in Sparkle City. Put listerine - - - yes, listerine- - - in a little spray bottle or you can just rub it on like lotion. You will not be bothered by mosquitoes. I've tried it and I know it works!!!!

[Panthers_Lover]

There will be some great autographed door prizes ... y'all need to come!

[RealisticFan]

Something better. Skin-So-Soft by Avon smells like lotion and I promise the bugs will not bite. I like it because it does not have the OFF Deet smell.

[Panthers_Lover]

Three QBs -- Moore, Clausen and Pike -- were among the players who participated in Panther Pals! It was an awesome experience for our kids. They had a blast, and so did their parents.

[Sam Mills Fan]

I'll be going on Saturday. First training camp practice I'll get to go to since 2006.

[Panthers_Lover]

Don't forget, if you have children ages 6-13, to register them for the Panther Pals program. We do it at the first practice of each day (except Aug. 11 and Aug. 18).

For the first Panther Pals of the season, we had QBs Matt Moore, Jimmy Clausen and Tony Pike, along with Jonathan Stewart. (I'm old, it was hot and hectic, and I can't remember who our other player was ....)

The kids had a blast ... the little girl who got Matt Moore was thrilled, and he was fabulous with her. Tony spent a lot of time with his Pal, and they were all great guys. I love my job!

[PantherFanOne]

Festivities at Gibbs Stadium include live band, TopCats, local food

It’s time to get “Back to Football” with the Carolina Panthers as Wofford College, the City of Spartanburg and Team Spartanburg Sports Council host a celebration of the team’s return on Saturday, July 31, at Gibbs Stadium. Festivities will be held on the stadium plaza and surrounding areas from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., then resume following the team’s 6:30 p.m. practice in the stadium.

The NFL team returns to Wofford for its 16th summer training camp, with the opening practice set for 9 a.m. on Thursday, July 29. The Panthers will be in Spartanburg until Wednesday, Aug. 18.

The “Back to Football” Party will feature live performances by popular regional band Back 9 and appearances by the TopCat cheerleaders and Panthers mascot Sir Purr. Food and beverages will be available for purchase at a “Taste of Spartanburg” food court featuring foods from local restaurants. There will be giveaways and other activities as well.

In addition, the Panthers Junior Training Camp for youngsters will be held from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. on the Wofford intramural field, between Cumming and Twitty streets below the main Gibbs Stadium parking lot.

Wofford also will host a Tailgate Party from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 14, on the Gibbs Stadium Plaza. The “best barbecue ribs in the Upstate” will be available for purchase while fans will be treated to a performance by the Bushy Valley Boys bluegrass band. Food and beverages will continue to be available during the Panthers’ 6:30 p.m. practice in the stadium.

Admission to all events is free.

For information, contact Laura Corbin, director of news services at Wofford College, at [email protected] or 864-597-4180.

EDITED: Or, you could just post questions here or message me ....

This sounds like a great deal.I will try to go if i don't have to work.

[stuk1]

Does anyone know if the "Junior Training Camp" listed in the 4th paragraph of the original post is happening on Saturday? That sounds a lot like the "Kids Combine" which is happening as part of Sunday's Family Fun Day. Are these two different events?

We're going on Saturday, but I'm just trying to figure out what time we need to get there (3:30 for the Combine or just 6:30 for the practice).

Any help is appreciated.