For the first time in over a decade, professional football has returned to Connecticut, and this time they're pulling out all the stops for their fans.
Fans are coming out in hordes for the Hartford Colonials' season opener, which starts on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. The team has plenty of exciting fan activities planned leading up to the kickoff at Rentschler Field in Hartford.
"We want to let fans know we're here to stay and we're here to give them a good product," Colonials director of operations Jeremy Lisch said earlier this week. "We want to give them the best experience, so they want to come back."
As the first professional football program to cross Connecticut's borders since the AFL's New England Seawolves played at the Hartford Civic Center from 1999-2000, the Colonials are definitely tapping into an excited fan base. Those fans won't be disappointed at Saturday's season opener.
Tailgating is encouraged for the event, with the stadium opening up at 11:30 a.m. The Colonials will be hosting a fan fest before kickoff featuring live music, inflatables for kids and a mechanical bull. Kids will also be welcomed onto the field before the game, where an introductory video will be played.
The video will introduce fans to their home team, which features former NFL quarterback Josh McCown and former UConn football star Andre Dixon. The Colonials will be taking on the Sacramento Mountain Lions led by former NFL Pro Bowl quarterback Daunte Culpepper.
NESN will be airing the game live from Rentschler Field at 2:30 p.m.
