ESPN The Weekend: A Sports Fan's Best Friend

For the second year in a row, I was given the opportunity to attend ESPN The Weekend in Orlando, Fla. Hopefully after reading the following paragraphs, you might consider attending in the future, and if not, you, my good reader, are clearly not as serious as you appear to be!

For anyone who is unaware about the event itself, it is held every February during the last weekend of the month and is located in Disney World, specifically the Hollywood Studios theme park. There are events, athletes, and, most importantly, family fun.

The event begins on Friday, and plenty of athletes pack the park for fan-friendly events such as Stump the Schwab (athlete edition), MLB Live Broadcasts, NFL talk shows, and an interactive zone.

The selling point of the entire event is the closeness that it can bring for the fans and the stars. The game shows all invite fans up from the audience to compete with the athletes, and the live shows all field questions from the stands to ask the guests, usually stars in their respective sport. For example, Steven Jackson, Maurice Jones-Drew, and Thurman Thomas would be booked together for an exclusive running back edition.

The interactive zone is without a doubt the most amazing part of the experience. There are basketball hoops, a simulation golf screen, tennis courts, and much more. Famous athletes are always parading through this area, inviting the fans to join them for some fun. One minute you could be playing HORSE with Scottie Pippen, and the next day you might be tossing the pigskin around with Tony Gonzalez.

For sports fans, there is no better opportunity to get close to the athletes that you watch on television almost every day, and as an added bonus, the location is perfect.

For all you sports lovers who have children in town, you now have the perfect excuse to drag your family to Florida, and enjoy yourself as much as, if not more than, the youngins. There is nothing better than being able to see your sports heroes up close and personal, and then hittin’ the Rock ‘n Roller Coaster with the ones who calls you their hero.

I can’t stress enough how worth it this trip is. As long as ESPN continues to snag the elite athletes, and package them with such a successful venue, then I will continue to go. Hopefully I see you there in 2011.