My experience at VGK Fan Fest

Vegas Golden Knights fans receive an annual gift of seeing their favorite players at a festival. Here, you can take pictures and get autographs from your favorite players, including Tomas Hertl, Victor Olofsson, and Jack Eichel. It's a commitment to ensuring fans have a memorable experience when watching the Golden Knights.

Not many fanbases can claim this, specifically when their team's in the thick of Stanley Cup contention every season. Bill Foley and the Vegas Golden Knights offered a first-class experience for everyone involved, ranging from vendors to hockey games for the children. All this went down in Summerlin on October 6, helping the fanbase prepare for the upcoming regular season.

I was fortunate enough to partake in this event, going to my first-ever event. I had never been to one of these spectacles before, so I didn't know what to expect. Would I shake hands with one of the big names? What games would the players play? It was a memorable time that left me with a good farmer's tan and a smile. Here's a breakdown of what I saw at my first VGK Fan Fest. Here's what I liked and what I would do next time.

What did I like about my first VGK Fan Fest with the Vegas Golden Knights?

The first thing I noticed was the various additives. That included a Zamboni where the children could ride in and a classic car. There was also a hockey-themed Connect Four, where friends could play against each other in a battle of wits. On top of that, there was a grass rink with inflatable boards. Here, the youngsters could pretend they were Victor Olofsson or Jack Eichel on the Vegas Golden Knights and score goals.

Of course, countless vendors set up shop as well. That included Ghost Energy, the UNLV men's hockey team, and the Vegas Thrill (women's professional volleyball team). You can't forget the food trucks, either! There were plenty of those for people hungry for a good bite. All this sat before the big stage, where the action would go down.

Once the time came to meet everyone, Golden Knights fans gathered around the stage to see the biggest stars in Las Vegas. First, it was the broadcast crew. Then, general manager Kelly McCrimmon was interviewed, followed by head coach Bruce Cassidy. After that, everyone got to meet the players, both tenured and new. This also came with fun games such as the "Newlywed Game" and a "Jeopardy!"-style game (hosted, of course, by James Holhauzer).

This wouldn't have been possible without a grand entrance made by Chance, the Vegas Belles, the Vegas Vivas, and the Vegas Drumline. Every big VGK event must have these to truly have fun. Otherwise, what are you doing with the spectacle?

Would I do it all over again?

Absolutely! I would love to come back for another VGK Fan Fest. It was an incredible experience to leave the house and meet other fans. Nothing was more exciting than prepping for the regular season by watching fun games. Whether you're taking pictures with Tomas Hertl or getting an autograph from Nicolas Roy, VGK Fan Fest offers an authentic experience for everyone.

This was a great first experience for me, for I didn't know what to expect. Would there be a big stage with exclusive interviews with various personnel? What other fun activities would be at the festival? All this was answered on the "Lawn" in Summerlin, closing out the hot weather session for cooler times.

If you haven't had the chance to go to VGK Fan Fest in your life, it's worth going. That's especially true if you have a family and want the kids to get out of the house. The endless amount of fun and activities make for a great time, where you can prepare for the upcoming NHL season. I know I'll make it down here again next year to usher in the new hockey season!