With the Chicago Bears poised to be great this year, families can snag the best seats in Soldier Field on Saturday to see them for themselves before the season officially gets under way.
The biggest tip: Get to the Meijer Chicago Bears Family Fest early. Lots open at 3 p.m., with some of the interactive activities happening in the End Zone outside Gate 6 starting at 4:30 p.m. Gates officially open at 5 p.m. and once inside the concourse, expect to find more family fun than you’d ever see on a regular game day.
“What we love is it gets a lot of kids inside Soldier Field. It gives access at a low price point to give families an opportunity to feel that game day type feeling, to see their favorite team in the venue that we play in for home games,” says Scott Hagel, Chicago Bears’ senior vice president of Marketing and Communications. “That’s what we enjoy the most, providing that opportunity.”
He says there’s something really special about Family Fest, with the camaraderie of all the fans in the stadium that creates a lot of positive energy in a fun atmosphere.
There’s something that will appeal to every member of the family, he says.
Expect to see Bears alumni, Staley Da Bear, live music, pony rides, petting zoo, field goal kicking, rock wall, face painting, a video game truck, bounce houses, first-and-goal bungee run, football toss, a stilt walker and other interactive displays. Kids ages 6-13 can participate in the Mini Monsters Clinic non-contact skills and drills clinic courtesy of Advocate Health Care.
Once gates open, don’t miss the touchscreen graffiti wall and Staley’s Corner with face painting and Bears Giant Lite Brite.
Make sure to be in your seats by 7 p.m. when practice is set to officially begin; fans get to see the entire team running out of the tunnel, something that doesn’t happen on a regular game day.
The team will then go through a full practice, just as they would at Training Camp, Hagel says. Media personality Jeff Joniak and Tom Thayer from the Championship 1985 Bears will be on hand to help fans understand exactly what’s going on on the field.
“This creates this opportunity to come out, be a part of the Bears experience and have something that fits all ages. You cap off that night with fireworks. You have a great evening together,” he says.
Details
Meijer Chicago Bears Family Fest
Aug. 3
- Address: Soldier Field
- Cost: $10, plus fees. Online ticket sales end Aug. 3 at 4:30 pm. Day-of tickets will be available starting at 4:30 p.m. at the Soldier Field box office outside Gate 10. All tickets are mobile-only this season.
