Eventgoers have strong opinions about their fan experience. Whether the individual, family or group of friends are first-time attendees or they’re avid followers of a team or sport, the series of events leading up to, during and after the function determine if they return. From the minutes spent waiting in line to get tickets and passing through security to the prices of food and beverages at concessions and the costs of t-shirts, hats and jackets at the team store, it all results in positive or negative reviews.

So, when the Harlem Globetrotters come to town, it’s always the organization’s mission to go above and beyond to make everyone feel a part of the team. And that was the case at Angel Of The Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 25. Everett served as one of the several stops of the group’s 100 Year Tour, and after tip-off at Madison Square Garden in New York in December, the group arrived in the Pacific Northwest with their once-in-a-lifetime event, exciting everyone with special perks.

The new Magic Pass provided on-court, pre-game access and player meet-and-greets, the Celebrity Court Pass allowed fans to join the Globetrotters during warmups and the VIP Bench Tickets seated people on the Globetrotters or Washington Generals benches for the entirety of the game. 100 Year limited-edition merchandise and memorabilia were also on display, and autograph signings were available after the game. New additions also surprised fans, such as the Golden Basketball by Spalding®.

In December, the team announced it added a rookie class of six men and four women, expanding the roster to be the largest in the organization’s history.

Overall, whether Globetrotter showman Thunder Law was sitting in someone’s lap, dancing with a fan, throwing a shoe or tossing popcorn, and mascots Globie and Big G were giving high-fives, performing handstands, headstands and other poses, there were always smiles on the faces of the young and the young at heart.

And yes, the Globetrotters did pull out a victory against the winless-since-1971 Generals, 70-68.