Belong at Fan Fest

!You Belong at Fan Fest, presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, on Saturday, Aug. 6 at Bank of America Stadium. All fans are invited, and admission is free.

It's a new season and a time for transformation, and Fan Fest is no different. Many of this year's activities feature a late afternoon start time.

The day will get off to a running start at 7:30 a.m. with the Blue Points 5K Road Race. The Ticket Office - offering 2011 Ticket2Packs, preseason tickets, hospitality packages and PSL's - will open at 9 a.m. Events outside the stadium's North Gate will begin at 2 p.m. with music, games, contests and visits from the TopCats and Sir Purr. The Team Store - selling this season's new merchandise - will open at 2:30 p.m.

Bank of America Stadium will open at 2:30 p.m., and every fan in attendance will receive a 2011 team roster card. There will be on-field passing and kicking contests for fans. The TopCats cheerleaders and Purrcussion drum line will perform, and team mascot Sir Purr will shoot T-shirts into the stands.

Then at 4 p.m., get your first look at the 2011 Carolina Panthers. See new head coach Ron Rivera and players like first-round draft choice Cam Newton, Pro Bowlers Jon Beason, Jordan Gross and Ryan Kalil and more than 30 new players - including draft choices and free agents - in action during the team's two-hour workout.

Food, non-alcoholic beverages, strollers and video cameras will be permitted inside the stadium for Fan Fest only. Bags smaller than 8" x 10" x 14" will be allowed after inspection. All other stadium policies remain in effect.