By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

With a new football season on the horizon, the LaGrange High family will hold a kickoff celebration at Sweetland Ampitheatre.

The free event will be on Aug. 6 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m., and there will be a pep rally for the football team at 7 p.m.

The idea, according to LaGrange head coach Chuck Gibbs, is to “make our opening kickoff count.”

“Let’s get all of our community here,” Gibbs said. “Let’s get our elementary schools plugged in. Let’s get our middle school plugged in. Let’s invite people. Let’s get people from all over, and let’s get back to restoring LaGrange back to our city roots.”

Gibbs added that “we talk about being a home of champions, well let’s kick off our football season like it.”

Food will be available from 505 Eats and Chick-Fil-A, as well as Frios and Kona Ice.

There will be games to play, as well as inflatables and a dunking booth, and cheerleaders from LaGrange and Gardner Newman will be painting faces.

“Let’s connect our community, let’s get our elementary schools involved, let’s get bouncy houses, let’s get face painting,” Gibbs said. “Let’s got snow cones, pop corn, cotton candy. Let’s not have a suit affair. That’s great, but let’s come out and celebrate.”

During the pep rally, the LaGrange players and coaches will be introduced, and the band and cheerleaders will perform.

Gibbs stressed that the night is about more than just football, though.

“Can we bless as many as we can, and not make it about football,” Gibbs said. “Let’s go love the community. That makes the biggest difference.”

LaGrange opens its season at Heard County on Aug. 23.

LAGRANGE HIGH 

SPIRIT NIGHT

WHAT: Kickoff celebration for LaGrange High’s football team

WHEN: Aug. 6 from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.

WHERE: Sweetland Ampiheatre

ADMISSSION: Free, although anyone attending is encouraged to wear LaGrange High colors