HARRISBURG -- The Harrisburg Stampede is transforming the PA Farm Show Complex into a field of dreams.
Workers and Stampede staff members were busy Friday preparing the Large Arena for Saturday's home opener against the Washington Eagles.
In addition to moving from the smaller Equine Arena, the Stampede -- now owned by New Orleans Saints wide receiver and Susquehanna Township product Marques Colston -- has made a few other cosmetic changes; adding an electronic message board near the playing surface and covering the upper seating bowl with huge banners to make the facility seem more intimate.
It's a huge difference compared to last season.
"I hope it's a jaw-dropper," said Colston, referring to the improvements. "I told the (players) on the opening night of training camp that we're going to work as hard on the business end as they've been working on the football end.
"The goal is to have fun on the way to getting a ring."
Head coach Bernie Nowotarski was among those helping paint the field; Nowotarski was working on the yard line numbers, while others were spray-painting a larger, newer team logo at midfield.
The opener starts at 5 p.m.
Harrisburg finished last season with a record of 7-2 in American Indoor Football (AIF).
