CINCINNATI — Thousands of fans flocked to Paul Brown Stadium for “Back Together Saturday,” a family-friendly event going on across the NFL. The Bengals staged a practice in the stadium and they offered some free activities for kids in the stands.
There were quite a few opportunities for photos, from posing with the Lamar Hunt Trophy celebrating the Bengals AFC Championship, to taking a selfie with Ben-Gals cheerleaders and the mascot.
Lines for refreshments were as long as during a regular season game. There were some freebies to be had at other booths around the stadium, including one manned by representatives of the American Dairy Association Midwest, who are partnering with the Bengals on a health program for kids called, “Fuel Up to Play 60.”
“Our goal is for all kids in Ohio to get 60-minutes a day of healthy activity, along with eating healthy in school and outside of school,” said Jennifer Tagliarino, school wellness manager for the American Dairy Association.
Tagliarino said Ohio dairy farmers were excited to be at the event to showcase the program and the partnership with the Bengals.
Families were excited to be there too, like Martin Reid, who brought along four boys.
“We came down to have fun and get excited about football,” Reid said. “It’s been great so far. We got snacks, we got toys and we’re going to get our faces painted.”
That’s where they encountered the longest line in the stadium. Joey and sister Emma Riccardi waited with their parents for more than a half-hour to get painted up to look like tigers.
“What I think about this party is great. I love the face painting and the things we do,” Riccardi said. He shares the same optimism over the upcoming season as many fans who came out to the stadium.
“I think they’re gonna do good,” Riccardi said. “I hope they make it to the Super Bowl again. But hopefully win.”
