My family and I attended our first Cardinal Kids Club event over the weekend. I signed my kids up for the Cardinal Kids Club, the official kid’s club website of the University of Louisville, last year and have received some great perks along with it. During football season, we got a special deal for a $5 ticket to a home game. And at the Louisville Women’s basketball game yesterday, we experienced Louie’s birthday party for just $.50 a person. With the club benefits, 1 child plus 1 chaperone each got a free ticket to the party and the game. I bought an extra ticket that was advertised for $2.00 and our youngest got in free. So, divide $2.00 by 4 people – 50 cents! I love when I score a great deal.
We arrived downtown at the KFC Yum Center around 11:40am. My husband dropped the kids and me off at the curb and went and parked for free on W. Market. Have I mentioned how much I love free, family, and friendly? A lot. We did have to wait outside, unknowingly, until 12pm when the doors opened. I did not know that in advance otherwise I wouldn’t have left my 17mo’s hat in the car. It was a long 20 minutes but we endured. We picked up our tickets at the will call window, which I had already secured over the phone with the athletic ticket office a few days beforehand. At 12pm, we walked inside and made our way to the elevator up to the upper concourse in search of the Spirit Room, where the birthday party was being held.
Many company sponsors were set up at tables as we arrived through the doors. They had some freebies and raffles to sign up for. We got two canvas lunch bags, pens, a t-shirt, a water bottle, free kid’s meals, and a small mesh Louisville Cardinal string backpack. Again, freebies are my favorite. As we entered, there were boxes set up as well for donations of old shoes, which were requested in lieu of gifts for the Waterstep Foundation. We made our way over to the huge windows that line the 2nd Street Bridge and loved the view, watching cars coming and going as well as the view of the Ohio River. We were among the first families in the door which meant we also got first dibs at the food. They had free pizza for everyone and a free cupcake for each child, in celebration of Louie’s birthday. Many mascots were roaming around the room and being super friendly and ready for a photo shoot at any moment. Among them was Louie the Cardinal bird, the FROYO Sweet Frog, Kentucky Stickhorses, Chick-Fil-A, Snow Fox from WDRB Fox 41, plus several others. Kids could also partake in some crafts and coloring stations, free face painting, and a photo booth.
After the party, we made our way into the arena for the Louisville Women’s basketball game; they were taking on the women of St. John’s. Watching the game with my family was a thrill, and knowing how we had made a special Sunday afternoon out of the whole thing for such little price was great as well. The women’s team winning the game was the icing on the cake, and the crowd sang “Happy Birthday” to Louie as well during halftime.
Your family can enjoy an afternoon like ours as well. Joining the club is free and all year long parents receive email updates on the special events or tickets to athletic events. On the website you’ll find all kinds of information, age-appropriate games for kids, and links to summer camps and other events.
Cover photo courtesy of Cardinal Kids Club website; other photos by Erin Nevitt
