The Arizona Cardinals held a fan festival Tuesday at Arizona Western College in Yuma.
The Cardinals Caravan made its debut at AWC. Cardinals fans of all ages from across Yuma County in their jerseys and Cards gear lined up to toss footballs, get free gear and take photos with mascot Big Red, tight end Trey McBride, former Cardinals Lorenzo Alexander and Derek Kennard and cheerleaders.
Juan Linares of Yuma took his sons John and Matthew. All were wearing Cardinals jerseys as they enjoyed cotton candy and the festivities.
“It’s a really good event," Linares told KAWC. "We like having the team out here. It shows that they care about the little towns here and our support for them so it’s fun.”
The caravan takes the Cardinals to fans outside of the Phoenix area. In past years, it was held at Albertson’s stores in Yuma.
Fan Garrison Yazzie of Yuma said attended past Cardinals visits to Yuma. He wasn't going to miss this one. Yazzie said he and his daughter Ayizanna are excited for next season.
"We had a good draft this season," Yazzie said. "I'm excited to see the line being built up."
AWC officials said they had planned to host the caravan in 2020 before the pandemic changed everything. The event was held for students before final exams but was open to the public, who turned out in droves.
"What we wanted to do was highlight Yuma, the community... and highlight our campus and students," said Dr. Nikki Hage, AWC's Dean of Student Services.
