Whether a camp rookie or a seasoned pro, keep in mind:
- Budget yourself enough time to make it to St. John Fisher College comfortably – you will have to take a shuttle. More about that later.
- Bring cash for concessions - enough for bottled water for everyone, not so much that you feel like you have to spend it on an authentic jersey.
- Dress for the weather, drink plenty of H2O and stay on your best behavior – this is a kid-friendly event.
- Young autograph seekers (under 14) have a Kids' Autograph Zone where two players will ink merch after each practice. Everyone else, try your luck getting players' attention near the field.
Getting there
If you're coming in from Buffalo or the west side of Rochester, drive past the 31F exit. You'll see St. John Fisher College and all the action on your right but there is no public parking. Instead, take the Pittsford/Palmyra exit on I-490. If you're coming from the south through Henrietta on I-590, take the Monroe Avenue exit. In both cases, your destination is shuttle parking at Pittsford Sutherland High School.
Parking
Sutherland is the closest of the four lots to camp and also close to the four corners in Pittsford. The shuttle is $1 for fans between the ages of 12 and 62. Two other lots, at Mendon High School and Barker Road Middle School (which is sometimes the designated overflow lot), are more easily accessed by fans coming in from the east. There's also Calkins Road Middle School if the Sutherland lot is full.
Traffic
Traffic on the highway could be trouble for the first open practice, as the 5:30 p.m. start on Thursday, July 26 isn't long after the rush out of downtown Rochester to the east side.
Tickets in hand?
These practices are open, but require free tickets you have to pick up:
- Friday, August 3, 6:15 p.m. at New Era Field – tickets at Mt. Read Boulevard Tops in Rochester and Crosby's in Clarence
- Sunday, August 5 at 2:15 p.m. – tickets at Safelite AutoGlass in Henrietta, Chili, Lockport, Depew and Hamburg
- Sunday, August 10 at 2:15 p.m. – tickets at Safelite AutoGlass in Henrietta, Chili, Lockport, Depew and Hamburg
These open practices require no tickets:
- Wednesday, August 15 at 8:45 a.m.
Theme days - free giveaways!
If you're on the fence, this might make it worth the trip. There will be limited numbers of:
- Giant foam hats for Wild West Day, 8:45 a.m. on Thursday, August 2
- Bills dog tags for Military Appreciation Day, 2:15 p.m. on Sunday, August 5 – tickets required for this one too.
- Slap bracelets for One Buffalo Day, 8:45 a.m. on Tuesday, August 7;
- and "Pirate Yowies" for Pirate Day, 8:45 a.m. on Tuesday, August 14.