BC Lions Backyard Street Party in Vancouver/via Brand Live Group

The Head Coach and co-General Manager of the BC Lions says he’s excited by the opportunity to increase his teams interaction throughout Kamloops next month.

Lions bench boss Rick Campbell says a move by the team this year to expand its annual Fan Fest celebrations to the downtown core of Kamloops is a good opportunity to increase their interaction with the community.

“There’s going to be a festival-type atmosphere down there, and that’s good for our players too to get to see Kamloops a bit and get down by the river downtown and interact with everybody,” said Campbell in an interview with Radio NL’s Jon Keen.  “We’re looking forward to that.”

Campbell notes the expanded Fan Fest will still include the regular highlights, but will give more people in Kamloops an opportunity to come face-to-face with their favorite players.

“We’re still going to do our scrimmage up at TRU. Just like fans would normally expect,” said Campbell.  “We’re going to do that in the afternoon. But after that, all the players and all the coaches are going to head downtown.”

BC Lions Head Coach and co-GM Rick Campbell/via CFL

The expanded Fan Fest will include a street festival downtown, including include live music, drinks and other festivities.

This year’s Fan Fest is slated for May 18th.

It’s become a tradition since the BC Lions began holding their annual training camp in Kamloops in 2010.

Campbell says he and the team always look forward to spending time in the city.

“I was born in Spokane, Washington. Spokane’s not unlike Kamloops as far as the mountains and water and trees and all that stuff. I’m used to living in that environment. I love getting out and getting on some hikes.”