The “Welcome Bears Fans” banners have come out of hibernation in this Kankakee County village, where football players and thousands of their followers will turn out for training camp over the next several weeks.
For fans, the summer sporting tradition kicks off at Olivet Nazarene University on Saturday, the first of 11 days when the public is welcome to watch players practice, maybe snag some autographs and have fun on and off the field.
The Bears have a bunch of entertainment and activities lined up for fan days. But if you’re making the pilgrimage 56 miles south of Soldier Field, you might as well stick around and explore the area.
Here are some suggestions for campers looking for good times away from the gridiron — and some tips for navigating training camp:
Beer leaders
BrickStone Brewery has built a reputation as one of the region’s finest purveyors of hoppy beer, including an APA (American pale ale) that landed a gold medal in 2012 at the Great American Beer Festival, the Super Bowl of suds competitions. The restaurant’s massive menu has something for everyone: salads, burgers, pastas, steaks, seafood, gluten-free options and addictive apps, from crackling pork rinds and giant pretzel sticks to crispy Brussels sprouts tossed in a vinaigrette and bacon jam; 557 William R. Latham Sr. Drive, Bourbonnais. From 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 20, BrickStone’s brewery production grounds at 572 Brewery Lane will be the backdrop for the family-friendly, football-themed Friday Night Lights Fest (general admission, $2; VIP experience with autograph opportunities with former Bears players, $50).
Music and more
A two-day music and arts festival in Kankakee coincides with training camp’s family weekend, July 27-28. Jody Watley, Fuzzy Jeffries & The Kings of Memphis, Chicago Funk Mafia and Iron Horse are among the Merchant Street MusicFest acts jamming on three stages at Festival Square, 199 S. East Ave., at Kankakee’s historic train depot. Admission is $5. The event runs 5-11 p.m. July 27 and noon to 11 p.m. July 28, making it a good way to fill up the rest of the day after a morning at camp. Artist Alley features paintings, handcrafted jewelry and other regional wares 2-9 p.m. July 28. For more art, drop by Merchant Street Art Gallery of Artists with Autism, 356 E. Merchant St., showcasing the creations of people of all ages with autism. One of only four galleries of its kind in the U.S., the gallery is celebrating its three-year anniversary with a new exhibit, “3 Years and Running,” debuting July 20, when artists will sign a giant mural they recently finished on the gallery’s brick wall.
Take a bike
Go for a spin on a comfortable cruiser with Kankakee County’s brand-new bike share program, Bike 609, which has docking stations conveniently located near training camp. Download the Zagster app to your smartphone, and pay as you go (enter BearsBike609 promo code for a discount). Keep in mind that if you want to ride with the kids, you’ll have to bring their wheels with you. The minimum age to rent a bike is 18 years old. One of the bike-share locations is at Perry Farm Park, a recreation area with farm animals, a children’s museum and 4 miles of paved trails; 459 N. Kennedy Drive, Bourbonnais.
Outdoor drama
Watch the Sharks and Jets face off at 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday (July 20-22) when Acting Out Theatre Co. performs “West Side Story” alfresco on a stage set up behind the Optech building at 111 E. Court St. in downtown Kankakee. Bring a lawn chair. Tickets are $25 at the gate.
Wine time
Summer temps at training camp can get toasty. Cool down with a wine slushy at Grapes & Hops, a sleek watering hole in downtown Kankakee. Flavors change daily. The place occasionally offers wine milkshakes that are every bit as decadent as they sound. The boozy beverages come topped with a piece of pie; 251 S. Schuyler Ave., Kankakee.
Drive-in dining
Grab a picnic table under the shade of the maple trees at Jaenicke’s Drive In, and dig in to a “sauce bun,” a local specialty that takes the bready home of a hot dog and fills it instead with slightly sweet meat sauce. Wash it down with the creamy, house-made root beer; 605 Armour Drive, Bourbonnais.
Go the Wright way
Visit one of the stops on the state’s new Frank Lloyd Wright Trail, the B. Harley Bradley House on the banks of the Kankakee River. One of the legendary architect’s earliest Prairie-style creations, the home has a low-pitched roof, bands of casement windows, extended eaves and ground-hugging design that all emphasize the horizontal, mirroring the wide-open Midwest prairies that were the muse for much of Wright’s work. Reserve a spot for a tour of the home (adults $20). On weekends, you can add a 30-minute boat ride for $10; 701 S. Harrison Ave, Kankakee.
Get saucy
When the Bears are in town, you just might spot a famous face or two indulging in the succulent, slow-smoked Southern barbecue at Jimmy Jo’s. Rolls of paper towels are on the tables for good reason; things can get messy with all those tasty sauces; 665 N. Convent St., Bourbonnais.
Farm fare
Downtown Kankakee hosts a popular farmers market 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays. Listen to live music while strolling through the stands. Make your way a few blocks down Schuyler Avenue, and stop in at the year-old Stefari Cafe, a husband-and-wife-owned spot serving specialty coffee, smoothies and tasty toasts in a historic building; 150 N. Schulyer Ave., Kankakee.
Park it
Stretch your legs at Kankakee River State Park, a 4,000-acre expanse that flanks both sides of the Kankakee River. Cyclists and hikers can take advantage of the park’s network of trails, including a 3-mile route along Rock Creek that takes in views of limestone canyons and a waterfall. You’re not likely to see any Bears here, but you might spot some other wildlife; 5314 W. Illinois Route 102, Bourbonnais.
Tips for training camp
Camp is open to the public July 21-23, 26-28, July 30, Aug. 4-6 and Aug. 11. Admission is free, but you’ll need a ticket to get in. Tickets are general admission (no assigned seating) and should be ordered in advance online. No tickets are left for Aug. 11, a night practice that will be followed by fireworks. You can add your name to a waiting list here.
Day practices start at 8:15 a.m., but players spend the first 30 to 45 minutes stretching and warming up. The real action starts around 9 a.m. Entertainment and kid-friendly activities are open until 11:30 a.m.
Free parking in lots surrounding training camp becomes available two hours before the gates open at 7:30 a.m. Remember: Make sure you’ve registered for your free ticket before reaching the gates.
Food and drinks will be sold on-site, or you can bring your own. Coolers are allowed; glass and alcohol are not. Tailgating is fine, but again, no glass or booze.
Opening weekend (July 21-22), Family Weekend (July 27-28) and Blue & Orange Weekend (Aug. 4-5) will feature appearances by the Bears Drumline, autograph opportunities and other perks. Blue & Orange Weekend also has special activities celebrating Brian Urlacher’s enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Military Appreciation Day is July 30, with reserved bleacher seating and an opportunity to take part in the post-practice autograph session for those who dress in uniform. Same goes for First Responders Appreciation Day on Aug. 6, honoring police, fire, medical and emergency service personnel.
All campers can bring something they’d like to get autographed, but know that there’s no guarantee of getting a signature. A few ways to increase your odds: Line up early at the gates on select dates to get one of the 150 passes that will be given to kids ages 4-12. The passes allow entry into the Kids Only Autograph area post-practice. Get in line with your pass 30 minutes before the end of practice. Dates are July 22, 27 and 30 (July 30 is for military members only) and Aug. 4 and 6 (Aug. 6 passes will be split between kids and first responders). You also can go to the Goodwill Store and Donation Center, 455 Main St., in Bourbonnais (a 5-minute drive from training camp at Olivet Nazarene University) the day before the practice you plan to attend. At the store, pick up a pass to get into the Goodwill VIP Autograph Zone, which opens 30 minutes before practice ends. Limited quantities available, and no assurances that being in the zone will get you an autograph.
Free stuff alert! The schedule for giveaways, while supplies last: cooling towels (July 21), Mason jar tumblers (July 22), magnets (July 23, 26), kids capes (July 27, Aug. 5), foam wavers (July 28), pennants (July 30, Aug. 6), headbands (Aug. 4) and LED bracelets (Aug. 11).
Twitter @lorirackl
