Kankakee Times

For many in Kankakee County, it's the most wonderful time of the year.

The Chicago Bears are officially making Olivet Nazarene University their home for a couple of weeks, as the state's NFL team opens its preseason training camp.

The camp, which runs until Aug. 10, means big attendance from fans locally and nationally – and big money for area businesses. Staci Wilken, executive director of the Kankakee County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), said in an email interview with the Kankakee Times that the Bears have had preseason camp in the county since 2002 and the camp “has really put us on the map for many that would not have visited the area otherwise.”

“Being host to one of only 32 NFL teams across the U.S. is a great compliment to Bourbonnais and Kankakee County,” Wilken said. “Having the Chicago Bears and their 100,000 fans ‘stay and play’ for two weeks a year has been a boost of morale for the county.”

On the business side of things, Wilken said the economic impact of Bears camp in the county was approximately $135 million in 2014, up from $128 million the year before.

“It is important to note that these figures include all tourism-related revenue and is a big deal for us, especially our hotels and attractions, shopping and restaurants,” Wilken said.

The Kankakee CVB's website, VisitKankakeeCounty.com, goes into the list of events that run concurrently with the camp. The site promotes the chance to meet Bears players throughout the camp, including a time when kids ages 4-12 can play catch with a Bears quarterback and go through some defensive techniques. There also will be opportunities to get player autographs.

Some of the themed days at camp include Fan Appreciation Day, Ladies Day and Armed Forces Day.

Events that take place during the camp's run include the Kankakee County Fair, which runs Aug. 3-7 at the county fairgrounds in Kankakee; and National Night Out, 4-9 p.m. Aug. 2 at Perry Farm Park.

Kankakee County events can be followed on social media on Facebook (facebook.com/KankakeeCountyVisitorsBureau), Instagram (Kankakeecountycvb) and Twitter (KankakeeCVB). The CVB also has a mobile app that provides up-to-the-minute information.

Chicago's first preseason game is against the Denver Broncos at 7 p.m. Aug. 11 at Soldier Field. Other preseason games are at the New England Patriots at 7 p.m. Aug. 18,  the Kansas City Chiefs at Soldier Field at noon Aug. 27, and at the Cleveland Browns at 7 p.m. Sept. 1.

The Bears open the regular season in Houston at noon Sept. 11. Chicago's first regular-season home game is against Philadelphia at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 19.

Last season, Chicago went 6-10 and finished last in the National Football Conference's North Division.