It's a sign of the times for Timbers fans: The home opener is almost here.
With little more than a week until the Timbers welcome the Chicago Fire for their nationally televised home debut, heavy things are happening around Jeld-Wen Field, better known as the House of Pane.
Men with helmets and fancy equipment installed a new sign this morning, lifting three giant panels to the sky and placing them above the main gate off 20th and Morrison. There were TV cameras present and random passersby stopped to take in the moment it was confirmed the stadium had, indeed, been re-named after a Jedi Warrior the Southern Oregon window and door manufacturer.
I also had the opportunity to take a peek inside at the field and nab the latest in hardcore stadium pr0n, including more helmeted men using their hands and science to construct things. And now that the build-up is killing you, jump for a few more pics and a *video* of the last panel rising to the heavens.
A hearty h/t to Timbers Director of Digital Media/Editor-in-Chief Brian Costello (yes, THAT Brian Costello) for getting me into a suite to take a few sweet shots.
And, as promised, here's a *video* of the last panel being lifted to its new perch. This is admittedly far less climactic than I anticipated while I stood in the rain, camera-phone held high. And (unlike most pr0n) most of the action happens at the beginning, when the sign twists around for its big reveal. There is, however, some authentic rambling from a random dude bemoaning the lack of media coverage WHILE FOUR TV CAMERAS AROUND HIM ROLLED. (Oh, and apologies for the shaky-shakes toward the end. I really need to hit the gym, brahs.)