Weekend Roundup: Atlanta Blaze inaugural game, Bird Fest

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Weekend Roundup: Atlanta Blaze inaugural game, Bird Fest

The Atlanta Blaze, Major League Lacrosse’s expansion team and the Metro’s newest professional sports franchise (until Major League Soccer debuts next season) played in a MLL opener in Kennesaw, Ga. Also, Zoo Atlanta held a family event to celebrate the Migratory Bird Treaty Centennial.

Atlanta Blaze players run onto the field for the first time before the start of their inaugural game at Fifth Third Bank Stadium Saturday night April 23, 2016 in Kennesaw, Ga. STEVE SCHAEFER / SPECIAL TO THE AJC

Meco Favors, 8, heads to the Fifth Third Bank Stadium to watch Atlanta Blaze play in their inaugural game Saturday night April 23, 2016 in Kennesaw, Ga. A crowd of 4,145 was in attendance including hundreds of area youth lacrosse players. STEVE SCHAEFER / SPECIAL TO THE AJC

Kevin Cooper, (R) a midfielder for the Atlanta Blaze, metro's newest professional sports franchise, talks with one of the members of the Allatoona U-11 Lacrosse team before the start of their inaugural game Saturday night April 23, 2016 in Kennesaw, Ga. A crowd of 4,145 was in attendance including hundreds of area youth lacrosse players. STEVE SCHAEFER / SPECIAL TO THE AJC

Atlanta Blaze player Scott Ratliff stands on the field with his fellow players before the start of their inaugural game at Fifth Third Bank Stadium Saturday night April 23, 2016 in Kennesaw, Ga. STEVE SCHAEFER / SPECIAL TO THE AJC

The Atlanta Blaze played their inaugural game at Fifth Third Bank Stadium Saturday night April 23, 2016 in Kennesaw, Ga. STEVE SCHAEFER / SPECIAL TO THE AJC

The Atlanta Blaze player Nicky Galasso (L) celebrates after an early goal during the Blaze's inaugural game Saturday night April 23, 2016 in Kennesaw, Ga. The Chesapeake Bayhawks spoiled Atlantaâ€™s debut game beating them 16-13. STEVE SCHAEFER / SPECIAL TO THE AJC

Head Coach of the Atlanta Blaze John Tucker (L) yells at the referees during the Blaze's inaugural game Saturday night April 23, 2016 in Kennesaw, Ga. The Chesapeake Bayhawks spoiled Atlanta's debut game beating them 16-13. STEVE SCHAEFER / SPECIAL TO THE AJC.

Emil Brignola holds up a photo of his favorite Atlanta Blaze player during the Blaze's inaugural game Saturday night April 23, 2016 in Kennesaw, Ga. STEVE SCHAEFER / SPECIAL TO THE AJC

Atlanta Blaze midfielder Patrick Harbeson (R) defends the goal from Chesapeake Bayhawks Alex Love during the Blaze's inaugural game Saturday night April 23, 2016 in Kennesaw, Ga. The Chesapeake Bayhawks beat the Atlanta Blaze 16-13. STEVE SCHAEFER / SPECIAL TO THE AJC

Allen Taylor enjoys a hot dog while watching the Atlanta Blaze play the Chesapeake Bayhawks Saturday night April 23, 2016 in Kennesaw, Ga. Chesapeake Bayhawks beat the Atlanta Blaze in their inaugural game 16-13. STEVE SCHAEFER / SPECIAL TO THE AJC

Kids play in the Kid Zone during the Atlanta Blaze inaugural game Saturday night April 23, 2016 in Kennesaw, Ga. A crowd of 4,145 was in attendance including hundreds of area youth lacrosse players STEVE SCHAEFER / SPECIAL TO THE AJC

Atlanta Blaze announcers Jon Meterparel (L) and Quint Kessenich (R) talk with MLL Commissioner David Gross (C) during Atlanta Blaze's inaugural game at Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Kennesaw, Ga Saturday night April 23, 2016. STEVE SCHAEFER / SPECIAL TO THE AJC

The crowd cheers on the Atlanta Blaze during Atlanta Blaze's inaugural game at Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Kennesaw, Ga Saturday night April 23, 2016. The Chesapeake Bayhawks beat the Atlanta Blaze in their inaugural game 16-13. STEVE SCHAEFER / SPECIAL TO THE AJC

Jackson Turman (R) gets his arm cast signed by the Atlanta Blaze players during an autograph session after their inaugural game Saturday night April 23, 2016 in Kennesaw, Ga. A crowd of 4,145 was in attendance including hundreds of area youth lacrosse players. STEVE SCHAEFER / SPECIAL TO THE AJC

Fans stand in a long line during an autograph session with the Atlanta Blaze players after their inaugural game Saturday night April 23, 2016 in Kennesaw, Ga. A crowd of 4,145 was in attendance including hundreds of area youth lacrosse players. STEVE SCHAEFER / SPECIAL TO THE AJC

Lizzie Vansword compares her arm length to the wingspan of a Lappet-Faced Vulture during Bird Fest held at Zoo Atlanta on Saturday, April 23, 2016. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and Zoo Atlanta held the family event to celebrate the Migratory Bird Treaty Centennial. The event included many children's activities, as well as informational stations. STEVE SCHAEFER / SPECIAL TO THE AJC

Darla Warnock, with Atlanta Wild Animal Rescue Effort, holds a Barred Owl as she answers questions outside Zoo Atlanta during BirdFest held at Zoo Atlanta on Saturday, April 23, 2016. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and Zoo Atlanta held the family event to celebrate the Migratory Bird Treaty Centennial. The event included many children's activities, as well as informational stations. STEVE SCHAEFER / SPECIAL TO THE AJC

Families streamed in Saturday morning for the opening of BirdFest held at Zoo Atlanta on Saturday, April 23, 2016. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and Zoo Atlanta held the family event to celebrate the Migratory Bird Treaty Centennial. The event included many children's activities, as well as informational stations. STEVE SCHAEFER / SPECIAL TO THE AJC

Chris Showalter from Fernbank Science Center holds a robin he snared to place an identification band on its leg during BirdFest held at Zoo Atlanta on Saturday, April 23, 2016. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and Zoo Atlanta held the family event to celebrate the Migratory Bird Treaty Centennial. The event included many children's activities, as well as informational stations. STEVE SCHAEFER / SPECIAL TO THE AJC

Hannah Williams holds up her freshly colored Mourning Dove bird mask at Bird Fest, an event celebrating the Migratory Bird Treaty at Zoo Atlanta Saturday, April 23, 2016. Zoo Atlanta joined up with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the treaty. STEVE SCHAEFER / SPECIAL TO THE AJC

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Atlanta Blaze players run onto the field for the first time before the start of their inaugural game at Fifth Third Bank Stadium Saturday night April 23, 2016 in Kennesaw, Ga. STEVE SCHAEFER / SPECIAL TO THE AJC

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