Redskins coming to Winchester, Shenandoah County

By Sally Voth -- svoth@nvdaily.com

Washington Redskins fans have a chance to see players old and new along with cheerleaders as they tour the Northern Shenandoah Valley today and tomorrow.

Current players Kory Lichtensteiger and Will Montgomery, along with cheerleaders and former players Dexter Manley, Fred Dean and Mark Moseley, Executive Vice President/General Manager Bruce Allen and Larry Michael, the "Voice of the Washington Redskins," will be in Winchester this afternoon, according to a news release from the team.

The trip is part of the team's 80th anniversary "Thank You Tour," it states.

After private meetings with the Winchester Rotary Club and NW Works, the tour will stop at Handley High School from 3:30 to 5 p.m., according to the release.

"The 80th Anniversary Thank You Tour events bring players, coaches and Redskins personnel to fan-friendly pep rallies across the region," the release states. "The events pay tribute to the team's 80th anniversary milestone, as well as thank devoted Redskins fans for their unwavering commitment."

The tour will then visit Shenandoah County's schools on Friday, followed by a public pep rally at the Shenandoah County Fairgrounds at about 4:30 p.m. Relay for Life activities will begin shortly afterwards, with entertainment starting at 5:30 p.m., and the opening ceremonies at 7 p.m., according to a news release from Shenandoah County Tourism.

"We are delighted that 'our' Redskins are coming to Shenandoah County -- which is Redskin Country in the Valley," Relay co-chairwoman Kitty Miller states in the release. "It will be such a wonderful gift to our cancer survivors to have the 'Skins help us celebrate our county's 17th Relay For Life."

The visits to the schools are closed to the public, according to the release.

"We are excited at the prospect of having the Washington Redskins visit each of our campuses," Superintendent Keith Rowland states in the release. "It presents a once in a lifetime opportunity for our students and staff to interact with professional athletes."