Two stories you can learn from to enhance or worsen your Pro Bowl experience:

Lesson One: I was at an NFL lu'au last year when I accidentally snapped a photo of Minnesota Vikings guard Steve Hutchinson holding the son of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck in his massive arms.

In my defense, it was dark and I meant to snap a picture of the fire dancer on stage.

But when the flash went off, it caught Hutchinson, one of the strongest men in the NFL, in a red-eye view just as he stood up with the sleeping child.

I'll never forget that look.

Moral of the story? There are times and places for autographs and interaction. When players are enjoying private moments, it's not a good idea to burst in with a Kodak moment or pull a Sharpie from your sock.

Lesson Two: About 10 years ago, Wes Isono was one of many fans who lined the stadium field during Pro Bowl practices, waiting for players to sidle over and give an autograph. As he left the stadium one afternoon, he saw a man waiting outside.

"Where you going?" Isono asked.

"Hilton," the man said.

"Need a ride?"

And he did. Every year since then, NFL Hall of Famer and Oakland Raiders legend Willie Brown has returned to the Pro Bowl and signed autographs at the Raiders' tent during the Pro Football Festival at Kapi'olani Park — with Isono often nearby to help him with whatever he needs.

Moral of the story? How you treat the players will determine not only their Pro Bowl experience, but yours.

With the help of Isono and other Pro Bowl veterans, here are some must-see-and-do things to make this year's Pro Bowl experience a good one.

DO'S AND DON'TS OF CHASING AUTOGRAPHS

DO: Ask players to personalize the request.

DON'T: Bring more than one item.

"When Shaun Alexander played for the Seahawks, he wouldn't sign an autograph unless it was personalized," said Artis Twyman, assistant media relations director with the St. Louis Rams and the AFC media director this weekend.

"Most players will stop and sign for kids, but the adult professional autograph seekers,with three mini helmets and four jerseys in hand, they'll pass," Twyman said. "If the autograph is really for you or someone else, ask them to add the name."

DO: Ask the player's name if you don't recognize him or if the signature isn't legible.

DON'T: Ask for an autograph when players are eating, if they're on the phone or if they're holding or playing with their kids.

"If you're in a crowd, usually you can figure out who it is because someone always knows," Isono said. "It's helpful to get a program beforehand if you can, but you can also just ask if you need to. You have to be nice about it."

DO: Come prepared. Bring a Sharpie marker along and if you don't know whose autograph you'll get, buy a Pro Bowl helmet or jersey instead of one of your favorite team.

"Get anybody on there, unless you know who you want, like Ben Roethlisberger, then get a Steelers' helmet," Isono said.

WHERE TO GO

UNOFFICIALLY: The best place to get autographs is after team practices, but a lot of players also hang near the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki.

"It's hard to find the guys away from practices," Isono said. "There's no guarantee they'll sign after practice or at the Hilton, but your best chance is when they're by themselves and just walking."

OFFICIALLY: You want guarantees? We've got guarantees for getting autographs. Head to Kapi'olani Park for the Pro Bowl Football Festival.

This is the one can't-miss place. NFL teams trot out Hall of Famers and Pro Bowl players take shifts on a stage, signing for long lines of fans.

The good news is there's also plenty of entertainment. When you tire of autograph-seeking, try some NFL drills and games.

FAMILY FRIENDLY

The nightlife during Pro Bowl week is legendary.

Last night, for example, Hall of Famer Warren Moon and Kansas City tight end Tony Gonzalez threw a huge Pro Bowl party at Level 4 in Waikiki. Snoop Dogg and Busta Rhymes are among the talent checking in at Level 4 parties this weekend, and NFL players are scheduled to show up at clubs throughout Honolulu.

But if you want official NFL-sponsored Pro Bowl events, you'll be hard pressed to find an event that's not family oriented.

"We try to stay away from the nightlife because you never know what can happen," said Mike Olmstead, the E2K founder and president who has been setting up official Pro Bowl events in Honolulu the past 20 years.

Here's Olmstead's can't-miss list of family-friendly things to do this weekend. All are free, except for Sunday's game and the $199 Tailgate Thru Time Tailgate Party, which is sold out.

TODAY

• Pro Bowl Football Festival, Kapi'olani Park, noon to 6 p.m.

Interactive games, bands, dancers, free autographs from players, cheerleaders and mascots are part of the fun, along with:

Pro Bowl Rally, 2 p.m.

15th annual Military Challenge, 3 p.m. (Each branch puts a team together and they compete in various football competitions and an obstacle course.)

• Sunset on the Beach, Queen's Surf Beach, 4 p.m.

The movie being shown is "The Express."

TOMORROW

• Pro Bowl 'Ohana Day, Aloha Stadium, 9 a.m. to noon.

There will be fan contests with keiki getting a chance to get on the field to catch balls from NFL players. Also, 2008 "American Idol" runner-up David Archuleta will give a preview performance of the national anthem he'll be singing prior to Sunday's game. Free admission.

• Pro Bowl Football Festival, Kapi'olani Park, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

More autographs, games, music and photo opportunities, plus the NFL is giving away tickets to Sunday's game.

• Pro Bowl All-Star Block Party, Waikiki, 7 to 10 p.m.

"This is the absolute one you shouldn't miss," Olmstead said. "Last year we had about 60,000 people turnout for it. We closed off Kalakaua Avenue from Ka'iulani Avenue to Queen's Beach and set up five stages for music and interviews. It's amazing." Four stages will feature Hawaiian music, oldies, classic rock and contemporary Hawaiian music. The fifth is an ESPN sports stage with stars and entertainers stepping up to be interviewed a la SportsCenter style. "You mix in 50 vendors, and it's a great atmosphere with an unusual blend of half locals and half tourists coming out to enjoy the party," Olmstead said.

SUNDAY

• Tailgate Thru Time Tailgate Party, Richardson Field, 8:30 to 11 a.m.

This will knock your socks off: Different thematic areas will be set up with what tailgating would have looked like in the 1930s, '50s, '60s and every other era of pro football. Workers will be in era costumes with tailgate food to match.

• Free tailgate party, Aloha Zone, 7 to 11 a.m.

University of Hawai'i fans know this area well, near the south makai corner of the parking lot. Bands will play, food and drink are available for purchase, but there's no entry fee.

• Pre-game show, national anthem by "American Idol" runner-up David Archuleta, Aloha Stadium, 11 a.m.

• Kickoff, Aloha Stadium, 11:30 a.m.

IF YOU GO TO THE GAME

• Get your tailgating done and get into the stadium by 11 a.m. for the pre-game show.

• Olmstead said there will be a special effect during Archuleta's performance that has never been done before at Aloha Stadium.

• Hula dancers, a flyover by Chinook helicopters and Hawaiian singers are just part of the festivities.

• Enrique Iglesias and Ciara are the halftime performers, with about 600 dancers also taking the field.