Fan Appreciation Day at Redskins Park Saturday

Today is Fan Appreciation Day at the Washington Redskins’ Training Camp, presented by RE/MAX, at in Ashburn. Admission and parking is free for all fans.

Fans can win prizes, including autographed helmets, footballs and jerseys, and following practice, every Redskins player and coach will sign autographs, take pictures and mingle with fans. The team encourages fans to arrive early and enjoy an entire day of festivities.

Prior to practice, which typically includes warm-ups, 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 team drills, fans can enjoy multiple performances by the Redskins Marching Band and Cheerleaders. Larry Michael, the voice of the Washington Redskins, will welcome the crowd and Coach Mike Shanahan plans to speak to fans as well.

Take photos with the Redskins’ Super Bowl trophies and win T-shirts from the Cheerleaders T-shirt Toss.

Before coming to Fan Appreciation Day, Redskins fans should fill out their Training Camp Fan Invitation, which is available on www.redskins.com.

Snacks and drinks will be available for sale. Some picnics tables will be available, but fans are also encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on during practice. Parking lots will open at 8 a.m. and gates will open at 9 a.m. Practice begins at noon.

The Redskins start preseason at Buffalo Thursday, Aug. 9, at 7 p.m. Open training camp practices continue until Tuesday, Aug. 14. .

• Reminder to fans, the 2011 Fan Appreciation Day drew a crowd of more than 29,000 people, so please arrive early.

• Disabled parking is available on-site at Redskins Training Camp. Upon arrival, Redskins staff members will direct fans needing assistance. There will also be a seating area set aside for wheelchairs near the practice fields.

• For security purposes, all bags brought into Redskins Training Camp will be searched by team security.

• The following items are prohibited at Redskins Training Camp: alcohol and illegal drugs, weapons, firearms, glass bottles, video cameras and animals (except for certified guide dogs assisting disabled guests).

Fans are encouraged to follow the Redskins on Twitter (@redskins) and tweet with the hashtag #skinscamp.