Buffalo Bills training camp 2015: attendance guide

Pittsford, New York welcomes the 2015 Buffalo Bills training camp this week, and beginning on Friday, July 31, fans can take in up to 17 free practices at St. John Fisher College. It's a beautiful facility, and the opportunity to interact with Bills players is unbeatable.

Here is everything you need to know if you're planning on attending training camp this year, and what you can expect if you've never attended Bills training camp before.

Dates & Times

Transportation & Parking

Parking is not available at St. John Fisher College for Bills training camp unless you have a special parking pass. Some locals turn their front yard into a parking lot across from the college and charge up to $20 for parking if you don't want to wait in line and sit on a school bus. Otherwise, you'll need to park at one of the two local high schools - Pittsford-Sutherland or Pittsford-Mendon. Once there, you take a shuttle to the facility at $1 round-trip per person. It's free if you're under 12 or over 62.

The shuttles start rolling more than an hour before the practice's start time, and there can be a line to board the bus. Drivers also must navigate traffic in the village of Pittsford, so be sure to plan extra time before camp.

Following practice, two lines will form to take you back to your respective high school. Take note whether you are at Sutherland or Mendon so you don't find yourself in the wrong line. It happens more often than you'd believe.

Tickets & Cost

Training camp is free. You will need a ticket for the night practices that must be obtained ahead of time. Click here for information on how to acquire tickets, but note that the August 3 practice tickets have all been distributed. If you don't have a ticket, the ushers usually collect extras at the gate to give to fans who don't have one, so you can try your luck there.

Grounds

The shuttle will drop you off at the entrance to the training camp venue. After entering the gates, you'll be forced to walk through a gamut of vendors and merchandise. Stop by the booths for some free stuff, and spend some money (cash or credit accepted) at the Bills Store.

Once you leave the air-conditioned tent, there are three practice fields. The first that is immediately visible is Growney Stadium. This turf stadium has permanent bleacher seating, as well as standing-room access. On the far side of the turf field at Growney, past the big tent where the VIPs have access to the only alcohol allowed on site, is the first grass practice field. This is where the majority of practices have been held under previous coaches. There is bleacher seating here, as well. If you walk all the way around that field on the lone pathway you're allowed to tread, you'll arrive at the second grass field. Rex Ryan has said he is going to run two simultaneous practices, but does that mean two on one field, or will he split them onto the two grass fields? Time will tell. We're betting on the latter.

In the back right corner as you're walking in is the Buffalo Bills experience. If you have kids with you, this is perfect for them. Football practice can be boring. These are kid-friendly activities, but be warned - if you're over there with your kids, you're not going to be able to see the practices yourself.

Refreshments

Food and drink prices have gone up a little bit in the past few years, but they are still far cheaper than at a game at Ralph Wilson Stadium. As mentioned previously, alcohol is not sold, and is prohibited on the grounds unless you're in a VIP section. The Bills also allow fans to bring their own drinks, food, and small coolers - something frugal folks everywhere should enjoy. One new addition for 2015 is the 716 Food and Sport Truck, which will be open for business during practices.

Autographs

The best way to score autographs is to be ready for them both before and after practice. Choose a spot closest to the locker room entrance (on the far left as you face Growney Stadium) and wait before practice. After practice, players will generally sign along that fence, or you can go back to near the locker room entrance.

There are also special signing sessions for kids 14 and under after every daytime practice. After practice, kids wait at the autograph tent between Growney and the Bills Store tent. The list of those signing players has not been released as of this publication, but here is where the Bills will post it.

Miscellaneous

- Bring sun screen. There is not a lot of shade throughout most of the facilities, and it tends to be very hot on late-summer days in Western New York.

- Media members, Bills staff, and players will all interact positively with you if you interact positively with them. That goes the same for your fellow observers. Don't be the 40-year-old dude shoving the six-year-old kid down for an autograph.