Published: June 23, 2009 11:06 pm      

Go Colts

Logansport fans get chance to meet players, cheerleaders

Colts Fan Fest came to Riverside Park Tuesday evening and nearly 2,000 people came out to meet players and cheerleaders, take part in numerous activities, listen to music and check out a trailer loaded with information on the team, its players and history.

Fan Fest premiered in Logansport, according to Joe Fonderoli of the Colts.

“Everything has been great. The fans are really enjoying it. They get up there with the players and cheerleaders and they just have smiles on their faces. It’s a great way to see the other side of the Colts,” he said.

For the Colts’ Pierre Garcon and Nick Graham, a third-year defensive back from Tulsa, Fan Fest is great for the players as wella s the fans.

“It’s a great opportunity to support the fans who support us,” the second-year wide receiver from Mount Union College said. “It’s a great experience.”

Most interaction with fans, he said, comes during the offseason.

Fan Fest grew out of the Colts’ Make It Personal Tour, which included many of the same activities, but the team added live entertainment by the Jester Kings.

The players and cheerleaders spent nearly the entire three hours greeting fans, having their pictures taken and signing autographs.

While most fans had pictures, footballs, jerseys or posters the team handed out autographed, one fan, Chris Stryker, had the players autograph the shirt he was wearing.

“This I’ll keep with me. A poster, I don’t know what might happen to it. It’s much more personal than a picture or anything like that,” he explained.

Chris Morris of Logansport was on hand with his son and some other children.

“My son is a big Colts fan. He wanted to see whose autograph he could get,” the Logansport man said.

A number of inflatable activities were available for children and booths were set up representing the Indiana National Guard, College Choice 529, Cass County Youth Football, Logansport Parks and Recreation and Cols Kids Club.