Chiefs and Bears fans celebrate tailgating before the final preseason game

KANSAS CITY, Missouri – Fans came from near and far to watch the Chiefs’ final preseason game against the Chicago Bears on Thursday at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

For many tailgaters it was a family affair.

Salinas family excited.jpg — The Salinas family enjoys the pre-game excitement at Tuesday’s tailgating fest.

The Salinas family had their own custom-made jerseys.

The Salinas family shows off their custom Chiefs jerseys.

For some, Thursday’s activities were both exciting and sentimental.

“We’re all from Chicago, she died here in Missouri, so we’re here to represent mom,” said Bryan Gordon, a Chicago Bears fan who came with his twin brother Brent to watch the game at a barbecue.

Gordon brothers, fr.jpg — Brent (left) and Bryan (right) Gordon at the tailgating festivities on Thursday.

They were in good spirits on Thursday and wore their Bears gear with pride.

“It’s all just fun,” said Brent Gordon. “It’s a good community.”

super bowl ring.jpg — Brent Gordon’s son shows off his flag football championship ring.

Gordon also came with his wife and son, whose flag football team he coached and with whom he won a championship.

On Thursday, a family of entrepreneurs was also present in the stadium parking lot, selling their own draft wine.

They plan to sell the wine at their vineyard, which opens August 30 in Pleasant Hill, Missouri.

Musket wine.jpg — Bottles of wine from the Musket wine collection.

“We bring it here because we love the Chiefs and want to share our wine with our entire Chiefs family,” said Kim Musket, one of the inventors of Musket wine.

There were many regulars there, but also some fans experienced premieres.

Stepfather and stepson.jpg — Colin and his stepfather Brian at the Chiefs tailgating celebration.

“This is the first game I’ve ever worn a short-sleeved jersey,” said Colling Cottengim, who came to the game with his stepfather Brian. “I just want to say, this is unbelievable.”

Brian enjoyed his first visit to a Chiefs game.

There was no lack of creativity.

amys shared shirt.jpg — Amy Wirth shows off her split Bears and Chiefs shirt.

“Last night I bought the Chiefs shirt and the Bears shirt, cut them in half and sewed them together,” said Amy Wirth, a Chicago native and former Chiefs employee who was “split” about her loyalties. “And then I bought socks and put one of each on.”

Socks of different teams.jpg — Wirth also wore opposite socks on each foot.

She wasn’t the only one with a do-it-yourself approach.

Eric Schowengerdt and Michael Tullis had set up camp next to their converted ambulance, which they now use as a vehicle for tailgating parties.

Emergency services ambulance.jpg — The converted ambulance that Eric and Michael are traveling in was parked in the parking lot for the tailgating party on Thursday.

“This thing is getting attention,” Tullis said. “I mean, who drives an ambulance to the Chiefs game?”

Eric and Mike.jpg — Eric Schowengerdt (left) and Michael Tullis (right)

“There were actually people who asked us for help,” said Schowengerdt with a smile.

Although they are not trained medical professionals, the fans had plenty of remedies for an empty stomach.

tim wilborn.jpg — Tim Wilborn prepares several Philly cheesesteaks for family and friends on Thursday.

“I love to cook,” said Tim Wilborn, a fan dressed head to toe in Bears gear. “Cooking is my love language.”

Tim gives Rachel a sandwich.jpg — Rachel Henderson of KSHB 41 poses for a photo with Tim and his loved ones.

Tim even made KSHB 41 reporter Rachel Henderson a Philly Cheesesteak to go.

It may seem too early to say, but one word kept coming up.

“Three wins in a row, across the board,” said Schowengerdt.

But regardless of the result, the fans’ energy remained high.

“The energy is totally different,” Tullis said. “Yes, the footage is better at home, but you don’t get the energy of a live game. You have to go to the game.”

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