Fun on Friday

Tonight, our family attended our first-ever University of Tennessee Lady Vols Soccer match. We had tried to get to Regal Soccer Stadium for a couple of years but our schedule just never seemed to work out. But after tonight, I know we plan to go again. The fan experience was outstanding, family-friendly and a great value.

First, our boys had earned free admission by participating in the Knox County Library System's summer reading program. Tonya and I donated a couple of school supplies each for our own free admission. Plus, parking was just outside the stadium and was also free.

Being 2 of the first 250 kids in the gate, both of our boys received a collapsible UT water bottle. Next, there was a free kids' carnival area with inflatables. At 30 minutes prior to the start of the game, UT's Coach Brian Pensky held a "Chalk Talk" open to anyone wishing to attend in which he briefly previewed tonight's match.

But the highlight of the night for Turner was meeting and having his photo made with Smokey. Or as he put it, "We tried to meet him at basketball games but we got to at a soccer game".

It was an experience we would recommend for families. It was fun on Friday.