D-Bowe Delights Fans in Salina

Todd Pittenger - Mon 08:53 PM 05/09/2011

Dwayne Bowe met fans and signed autographs for over two hours.

The new Salina Menards Mega Store had a limited time only special Monday night, and it attracted hundreds of people. Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro Wide Receiver Dwayne Bowe stopped by the store to meet and greet fans, and sign autographs.

Hundreds of fans were in line when Bowe arrived. They cheered, and some broke into the “Tomahawk Chop” cheer as the NFL star arrived.

Andy Wright from Wichita was first in line, making the drive to Salina and lining up at around 1:00 in the afternoon. Wright, a die-hard Chief’s fan, tells KSAL News that it was worth the 5-hour wait to get to meet Bowe.

Dewayne Bowe was the 23rd pick in the 2007 NFL Draft out of LSU by the Chiefs. He quickly made an impact on the team during his rookie season by catching 70 passes for 995 yards and six touchdowns. This year, Bowe caught 72 passes for 1,162 yards and 15 touchdowns in leading the Chiefs to the 2010 AFC West Division Championship. He was selected to the AFC Pro Bowl team.

Menards is in the middle of its grand-opening celebration in Salina. Other sports celebrities will make appearances at the store this week including Bret Saberhagen, Christian Okoye, and Paul Menard.

Here is the complete list:

Paul Menard - NASCAR Driver

Tuesday, May 10th (6pm - 8 pm)

In 2011, Paul Menard is poised to challenge for a spot in NASCAR's "Chase for the Sprint Cup." Entering his fifth full-time season of NASCAR Sprint Cup competition, Menard made a significant offseason move, now driving the No. 27 Menards/Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing, but still in his familiar neon yellow Menards-sponsored car. An Eau Claire, Wisconsin native, the 30 year-old

Menard resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, the hotbed for racing in America. Menard is coming off a solid 2010 season where he placed 23rd in the final Sprint Cup standings and 5th overall in the Nationwide Series.

Bret Saberhagen - Kansas City Royals All-Star Pitcher

Wednesday, May 11th (6 pm - 8 pm)

In 1985, Bret Saberhagen led the Kansas City Royals to a World Series Championship, pitching a shutout in Game 7 and being named series MVP. Saberhagen posted 167 wins in a 16-year major league career that also included stints with the Mets, Rockies and Red Sox. A three-time All-Star, Saberhagen was twice named the Cy Young Award winner as the American League's best pitcher while a member of the Royals.

Christian Okoye - Kansas City Chiefs Pro Bowl Running Back

Thursday, May 12th (6pm - 8 pm)

Despite playing just three years of organized football, Christian Okoye was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in 1987. Okoye went on to a highly productive six-year NFL career, gaining 4,897 rushing yards, scoring 40 touchdowns and being named to the Pro Bowl team on two occasions. Okoye is now dedicated to helping inner-city kids live goal-oriented lives through sports and educational programs.

Menards opened last Tuesday at the corner of Magnolia and Interstate.

The store carries materials and tools for home improvement. The new store will also carry name brand appliances, pet products, lawn and garden supplies and even groceries.

Menards currently operates 262 home improvement stores located in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

The Salina store is the 4th Menards in Kansas.

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