This week we were lucky to get to see the Harlem Globetrotters 90th anniversary tour show in Flint, Michigan. We took our niece and nephew with us; none of us had seen the Globetrotters in person before so we were excited. It was funny to discuss our memories of the Globetrotters; Jim and I remember watching them on the television on weekend afternoons. My Grandma really liked them and I remember she would always gather around to watch them when they were on TV. The kids meanwhile remembered them from seeing them on Scooby Doo episodes, so they really had never seen the live athletes and their ball handling wizardry.
When we arrived to the the Harlem Globetrotters 90th anniversary tour show and took our seats the fun started. The announcer and the host did a brilliant job of interacting with the crowd and building the excitement and the disdain for the Globetrotters’ opponents (and their annoying Coach). Each of the players were introduced and they each took the basketball and performed some amazing tricks. Not only were they highly skilled at ball handling but each athlete really showed a passion for performing. Their interaction with the crowd and with each other really increased the energy in the building.
Once the warm ups were complete and the introductions over, the game started. Honestly, I laughed a lot during the whole show. The Globetrotters are funny, plain and simple. I didn’t expect to laugh as much as I did, as an adult I guess I kind of went into the show thinking “the kids will find this funny”. They did – but us adults did as well.
The score went back and forth between the teams, and the crowd’s excitement continued as the time wound down on the clock. Here is a short video of some of the hi jinx.
During the game there were many fan interactions as well, which was fun.
The Globetrotters are really there for the fans, it is evident to see that they are kind, caring athletes that have a pure passion for performing.
One nice thing too was that they did not push overpriced souvenirs. There was a stand selling balls, shirts and programs as we expected but it wasn’t obtrusive.
Our niece noticed when we had arrived that there was a sign saying after the game there would be an autograph session, so she was very excited! She had brought a pad of paper and a pen (we treated her to an official program) with the hopes that she could get autographs. The way the Globetrotters handled the autograph session was brilliant! After the game a rope was placed around the court and the various players (probably 12 in total) stood at various places behind the rope around the perimeter of the court.
The kids gathered around the players and they signed whatever the kid handed them.
Mackye with Flight Time, the guy who was on The Amazing Race with Big Easy. He was one of our favorites!
Our niece loved getting the program signed; others had shirts they had signed, some had the basketballs signed and we even saw one kid have their shoes signed! Spreading out the players in this manner meant that the crowd was also spread out and this eliminated long lines and confusion.
The kids moved from one player to another in a fairly organized manner and usually only had a couple of minute wait to get their signature. The players were very kind, and welcomed the chance to take photographs as well.
You can see from these photos that we had a brilliant time!
If you get a chance to see the Harlem Globetrotters 90th anniversary tour show in your area, we’d highly recommend it.
Use code FAMFUN here to save 25% on your Globetrotters tickets!
