In the nine years that the Kansas City Chiefs have held Training Camp at Missouri Western State University, this crowd was simply one of the best.
It was Family Fun Day presented by Family Center Farm & Home on Saturday, and from the numerous activities set up for kids at nearby Spratt Stadium to the full-team autograph session following practice, there was something for each of the thousands of fans in attendance.
"I've never been to another team's training camp, but this is the way to do it," said Mike Ubaldo, a fan who brought his two kids to camp on Saturday. "We're Season Ticket Members, so my kids go to the games with me, but it's fun to bring them to things like this when they're young."
Ubaldo was in the midst of watching his kids participate in a "scoop and score" activity while making his remarks, which was one of the several football-related drills available to kids of all ages in addition to inflatables, a rock wall, face painting and balloon artists on site.
Those festivities, along with the allure of watching the Chiefs' prepare for the 2018 season, drew quite the crowd – and it didn't go unnoticed.
"I think we had 6,000 fans here today," said Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt. "I know Coach Reid and the team appreciate the atmosphere that the fans create for us."
Contributing to that atmosphere were a handful of local foster families who were enjoying practice from the VIP tent in partnership with Cornerstones of Care, the beneficiary of the upcoming Chiefs Charity Game on Aug. 9.
"We're so excited to have some of our foster families from the St. Joseph area here today at Training Camp," said Denise Cross, President and CEO of Cornerstones of Care. "These families are true heroes, so for these young people to just have a fun day out and to know that people in this community care about them is huge."
That was certainly the case following practice, as those very kids had a chance to walk alongside the players on the trek back to the locker room as part of the “Helmet Walk.”
"He's been so excited about this…it's going to make a big difference," said Tina Hackett, whose foster son participated in the walk. "He actually has a worker with him right now that used to be in some type of care and did this while he was younger. He said that this made the biggest impact in his life, and now he helps kids. It helped turn his life around."
From those particular kids to the thousands running around the "Kid's Zone" over at Spratt Stadium, it all wrapped up into a special morning for each and every family that ventured to camp on Saturday – something that Ubaldo summed up best.
"We just loving coming to camp," Ubaldo said. "And it's fun watching my kids fall in love with football, too."
The Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp Family Fun Day presented by Family Center Farm & Home was held on August 4, 2018. Families were able to enjoy various activities including a rock wall, inflatables, Play60 activities, face painting, and more. A full-team autograph session took place following practice.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones (95) during practice on 8/4/18 at Chiefs Training Camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.
KC Wolf and a young fan on 8/4/18 at Chiefs Training Camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.
KC Wolf and a young fan on 8/4/18 at Chiefs Training Camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Fans enjoying Kona Ice on 8/4/18 at Chiefs Training Camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Fans signing the giant Chiefs Kingdom Flag during practice on 8/4/18 at Chiefs Training Camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.
A young fan gets their face painted during practice on 8/4/18 at Chiefs Training Camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.
A young fan gets her face painted during practice on 8/4/18 at Chiefs Training Camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Kids participate in Play60 activities during practice on 8/4/18 at Chiefs Training Camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Kids participate in Play60 activities during practice on 8/4/18 at Chiefs Training Camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Kids participate in Play60 activities during practice on 8/4/18 at Chiefs Training Camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Kids participate in Play60 activities during practice on 8/4/18 at Chiefs Training Camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Kids participate in Play60 activities during practice on 8/4/18 at Chiefs Training Camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Kids participate in Play60 activities during practice on 8/4/18 at Chiefs Training Camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Kids participate in Play60 activities during practice on 8/4/18 at Chiefs Training Camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Kids participate in Play60 activities during practice on 8/4/18 at Chiefs Training Camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Kids participate in Play60 activities during practice on 8/4/18 at Chiefs Training Camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Kids participate in Play60 activities during practice on 8/4/18 at Chiefs Training Camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Kids participate in Play60 activities during practice on 8/4/18 at Chiefs Training Camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Young fans climb the rock wall during practice on 8/4/18 at Chiefs Training Camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Fan enjoy several different activities in the kid-friendly section during practice on 8/4/18 at Chiefs Training Camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.
A young fan gets her face painted during practice on 8/4/18 at Chiefs Training Camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Kids participate in Play60 activities during practice on 8/4/18 at Chiefs Training Camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Fans get their photo taken with Chiefs Cheerleaders during practice on 8/4/18 at Chiefs Training Camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Fans get their photo taken with Chiefs Cheerleaders during practice on 8/4/18 at Chiefs Training Camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Fans get their photo taken with Chiefs Cheerleaders during practice on 8/4/18 at Chiefs Training Camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Fans get their photo taken with Chiefs Cheerleaders during practice on 8/4/18 at Chiefs Training Camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Fans get their photo taken with KC Wolf during practice on 8/4/18 at Chiefs Training Camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Fans play a game of giant Jenga during practice on 8/4/18 at Chiefs Training Camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Fans utilizing the photo booth station during practice on 8/4/18 at Chiefs Training Camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Fans sign the giant Chiefs Kingdom Flag during practice on 8/4/18 at Chiefs Training Camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Fans sign the giant Chiefs Kingdom Flag during practice on 8/4/18 at Chiefs Training Camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.
The fans section on 8/4/18 at Chiefs Training Camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.
A young fan during practice on 8/4/18 at Chiefs Training Camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Young fans during practice on 8/4/18 at Chiefs Training Camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid meeting with guests during practice on 8/4/18 at Chiefs Training Camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid signing autographs during practice on 8/4/18 at Chiefs Training Camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Bryan Witzmann (70) during practice on 8/4/18 at Chiefs Training Camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Matt McGloin (5) during practice on 8/4/18 at Chiefs Training Camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Bentley Spain (68) during practice on 8/4/18 at Chiefs Training Camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid signing autographs after practice on 8/4/18 at Chiefs Training Camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Step Durham (47) during practice on 8/4/18 at Chiefs Training Camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones (95) during practice on 8/4/18 at Chiefs Training Camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Kansas City Chiefs running back Spencer Ware (32) signing autographs during practice on 8/4/18 at Chiefs Training Camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones (95) during practice on 8/4/18 at Chiefs Training Camp at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri.
