The waterfront was packed with kids of all ages, armed with paper, footballs, sneakers, T-shirts and more, to have signed by NFL players.

It was NFL Day in Washington — sponsored by community effort, as the Washington Police Department, the Police Activities League and the Beaufort County Pirate Club combined resources and events to create a weekend of all things football.

“We had over 500 hot dogs and they were gone in the first 45 minutes,” said Mac Hodges, former president of the Pirate Club.

Hundreds of children and adults lined up to make their way down a table of players, getting autographs from Kansas City Chiefs, a Baltimore Raven, a Dallas Cowboy and a Green Bay Packer.

Victor Hudson provided background music while groups of children tossed footballs in Festival Park.

“This is a great event,” said Lt. William Chrismon, spokesman for the police department.

While last year the Pirate Club hosted a meet and greet with Kansas City Chiefs’ wide receiver and Washington native Terrance Copper, this year Copper and event organizers opted to rearrange the schedule, putting one on one time with the players before the exhibition basketball game between Washington Police and Fire-Rescue-EMS. The payoff was evident in the crowds that waited in line to get their chance at autographs.

Today’s football camp at Washington High School — where kids can learn the ins and outs of the game from pros — wraps the NFL weekend. See Sunday’s paper for for coverage of last night’s exhibition basketball game and more photos.