BYU Sports: Fan Fest tour kicks off with stop in Idaho Falls
By Ron Jensen
It’s time for BYU’s Fan Fests to head around the country, giving fans a chance to meet players and coaches. First stop: Idaho Falls.
In 1855, Brigham Young started sending members of his faith to settle what is now Southeast Idaho. Since then, neither he, nor the original university that bears his name, had made many appearances to the area.
Until now.
In February, I made a case for BYU football to hold a Spring Practice and Fan Fest in Rexburg. While the satellite scrimmage never materialized, there’s good news for fans in the Gem state. BYU Sports is bringing a Fan Fest to Idaho Falls!
The event will take place at the Waterfront at Snake River Landing on Saturday, April 21st. It will run from 1:00 – 3:00 pm, and will feature Head Football Coach Kalani Sitake, along with members of his staff and team. They will be accompanied by athletes from the Basketball and Volleyball teams as well.
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Local standouts, including Highland’s Tristan Hoge and Wayne Tei-Kirby, Madison’s Sam Baldwin, and Shelley’s McKay Cannon, should be in attendance along with many more. It will provide a great opportunity for this part of Cougar Nation to meet their favorite players.
The Fan Fest will feature backdrops for photos with players, new posters for autographs, and a variety of prizes. Families can enjoy face painting, animal balloons, and concessions, including the famous CougarTails.
Fans have waited many years for something of this magnitude to hit the banks of the Snake River. Isaac Ziel of Idaho Falls explained the first thing that came to his mind was, “…it would be cool that the younger fans could have the experience.” When asked what it means to the youth of the area, he simply said, “It would feel like Christmas.”
Cougar supporters aren’t the only excited ones about the visit. Speaking of a Fan Fest he participated in last spring , Fred Warner stated, ” It means so much to see the type of passion people have for BYU football and the love they have for us.”
Surely a turnout awaits the arrival of these athletes. Event organizer Bob Devine says he expects thousands throughout the region to be in attendance. He also assures that they will be ready for them.
This is the first of several visits the BYU Sports group will make during spring and the initial part of summer. Their next stop will be to Mesa, Arizona on May 5th. More announcements of future destinations are sure to come in the next few weeks.