Official Who and When are you going to Training Camp Thread

[Devoid]

Get a hotel room, go to the Beacon for lunch tomorrow, then go enjoy some football

Got a room and Beacon sounds great thanks

[Sam Mills Fan]

Spartanburg weather this afternoon according to Accuweather.com:

97 degrees with an index of 102 when the festival starts

96 degrees with an index of 99 when practice starts

Not much wind

Chance of pop up thunderstorms

Damn and I remember it being relatively cool last year when I went down there for a Saturday.

[Proudiddy]

Is it a padded practice today? Or didn't Riv say it was just helmets?

[Sam Mills Fan]

First padded practice is Monday.

[Proudiddy]

First padded practice is Monday.

Ok cool. Still can't wait to see the guys back out there and what coach says about them/how they're looking. Really hope we get some pics of Cam to Smitty/Olsen/Shockey/Gettis...

[SCP]

Great day planned:

- Stopping at outlet stores on the way down (boo)

- Back to Football thing until 6:30

- California Dreaming for dinner

- Practice at 8:30

[SCP]

Oops, looks like practice is at 6:30. Scratch California Dreaming.

[James_Brown]

Hey guys great forum and glad I stumbled upon it..

I am active duty military and we were transplanted to NC, but love the Carolina Panthers. Since we have only lived in the state for a few years we have yet to attend a practice, but I was considering going to tonight's festival.

I have a few questions and was hoping that a veteran could help out

It's going to be over 100 degrees but my family and I were going to brave the heat and attend tonight because it sounds like a fun family atmosphere.

My son is a huge Cam Newton/Steve Smith fan (like everyone else) but I don't want to get his hopes up of meeting players or getting autographs. I read that the Panthers are one of the fan friendliest teams in the league.

Anyway I will stop babbling and just ask this--What can I expect at the Back to Football Party? Will there be autograph signings, could chance for pictures, worth braving the heat, etc?

Thanks for your help,

James

[Sam Mills Fan]

The party itself doesn't have the players attend it if I remember correctly. Autographs/pictures can happen immediately before practice on the fence leading down to the field (you can't miss it), but mainly right after practice. Some don't sign at all, some sign for a few minutes, other sign for a long time. Steve Smith signs a lot of autographs or at least he did last year. Don't know about Cam Newton yet. He signed some at Jordan Gross's charity kickball game earlier this year.

And it's definitely worth going out for, just load up on the sunscreen and fluids.

[Ruff]

I read somewhere that there's going to be Panthers' alumn signing autographs at the Back to Football party. So, you'll probably see Mike Minter, Mike Rucker, maybe Dan Morgan, maybe Steve Beurlein.

[James_Brown]

Thanks for the answers guys---great work and very helpful.

I live close enough to the practices where it is not a far drive for me, should I just go to a practice say Sunday morning) or would this event be better for photographs, autographs?

Thanks and I will make sure to post some pics here!

James

[Devoid]

Had some beacon now I have time to waste

[ammofan]

I read somewhere that there's going to be Panthers' alumn signing autographs at the Back to Football party. So, you'll probably see Mike Minter, Mike Rucker, maybe Dan Morgan, maybe Steve Beurlein.

Dont expect much from Minter....he's a jerk.

[PanthersGuy28]

Not going it's too hot and I can barely see them practicing