What do former UGA cornerback Champ Bailey, ex-Braves outfielder Ryan Klesko and a bald eagle have in common?
They'll be at the grand opening this weekend of Georgia's first Field & Stream, an outdoors store brand that's a subsidiary of Dick's Sporting Goods.
The new store, located at Town Center Commons on Ernest W. Barnett Parkway in Kennesaw with an existing Dick’s, will run events throughout the weekend.
“Kennesaw has a thriving community that is passionate about both sports and the outdoors, a perfect combination for us to open our newest location that houses both a Dick’s and Field & Stream under one roof,” said Michael Lee, a Dick’s spokesman.
Together the stores will total about 124,000 square feet, Lee said.
There are about 30 locations of Field & Stream — which has no connection to the longtime magazine of the same name serving the same community.
Lee did not comment on whether other stores are planned for Georgia.
At the Kennesaw store opening, there’ll be a 4,000 gallon bass tank where a professional angler will be giving hourly seminars from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. every day this weekend.
Some events require a wristband, which are distributed first come, first served the day of the event. It’s one wristband per person.
According to Dick's, the gameplan for the Kennesaw store opening this weekend is as follows:
Friday
The first 250 people in line at Dick’s will get a free Adidas shirt. The first 250 in line at the new store will get a free Field & Stream shirt.
- Visit with Troy Landry of the television show "The Swamp People"; requires a wristband. He'll be there from 4 to 7 p.m.
- Mike Stroff, host of the "Savage Outdoors" TV program, will be giving one autograph per person from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- The American Eagle Foundation will be at the store with a bald eagle, from 7:15 to 11 a.m.
Saturday
The first 100 adults in line at either store will get a mystery gift card of between $5 and $500.
- Seeing Champ Bailey, the beloved Georgia cornerback, requires a wristband. Bailey, who went on to success in the NFL, will be there from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- You'll also need a wristband to see Ryan Klesko, the outfielder who hit 23 home runs in just 381 at-bats during the 1995 Braves title season. He'll be at the store from 2 to 4 p.m.
- Melissa Bachman, who hosts the "Winchester Deadly Passion" travel hunting TV program, will be signing one autograph per person from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Skeet Reese, whose name is half comprised of the letter E, is a professional bass angler. He'll be signed one autograph per person form 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Eve Overland is the trainer for country star Carrie Underwood, who has a line of athletic clothes sold at the store. Overland will be hosting a workout from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.; the first 50 participants will get an undisclosed free gift.
Sunday
The first 100 people in line at Dick’s will get a free branded stadium bag. The first 100 at the new store will get a free Field & Stream hat.
- A visit with Roddy White, the recently retired Falcons wide receiver, will require a wristband. He'll be there from 11 a.m to 1 p.m.
- Phil Niekro, the legendary Braves knuckleballer and 1997 Baseball Hall of Fame inductee, will be there from 2 to 4 p.m. You'll need a wristband to see Knucksie. If you miss him, you can always see a portrait of him at SunTrust Park.
- Michelle Bachman of "Winchester Deadly Passion" will be back from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
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