Dragons Announce 2016 Entertainment Highlights and Special Events

March 30, 2016

Dayton, Ohio - The Dayton Dragons will open their 17th home season in the Midwest League on Saturday, April 9th at 4:00 p.m. against the Bowling Green Hot Rods at Fifth Third Field. The Dragons announced their 2016 Entertainment Highlights today.

Team Facts

The Dragons have a 1,121 consecutive game sell-out streak at Fifth Third Field (every game in their 16-year history). This is the longest sell-out streak in sports history. The Dragons have led all of Single-A baseball in attendance for each of their 16 seasons of operation.

Dragons Entertainment Highlights, 2016

The Dragons' mascots, Heater and Gem, return for every game during the 2016 season. Our other ballpark characters, Wink, ATMO and Roofman, and Princess Sunny will perform at select games. Once again, the Dragons have put together an exciting lineup of entertainment acts focusing on family fun.

The Dragons "Green Team" orchestrates a variety of hilarious family-friendly skits on the field and in the stands during games. Each year, new skits and contests are brainstormed throughout the off-season and the Green Team rehearses and perfects the skits during pre-season and in the afternoons prior to games. The Dragons promise many new on-field skits, scoreboard videos, and entertainment acts with a family-entertainment theme.

Popular On-Field Entertainment

The following signature elements of the Dragons experience will return for another season in 2016.

Toddler Races

Retirement Village People

Mini-Dugout Dancers

And much more!

Opening Day

The Dragons Opening Night game on April 9th will feature great entertainment for fans of all ages. The National Anthem will be performed by WiiildFlower, a singing trio featuring local teenagers Jordyn Mitchell, Kennedy Cook, and Drea Wallace, winners of the Dayton Daily News national anthem contest.

Also on Opening Day:

Face painters
Petting Zoo
Skydivers flying in the Red, White, and Blue.
Dove Release after the National Anthem.
WPAFB Honor Guard presenting our nation's colors.
Flag bearers from WPAFB
Dayton Dragons Drumline
Rhythm X Drumline on the plaza

Famous Chicken, ZOOperstars Headline 10 Nights of National Entertainers

National entertainment acts have been booked to perform at 10 Dragons games this season at Fifth Third Field. The special entertainment schedule includes the return of the Famous San Diego Chicken, the first-ever appearance at Fifth Third Field of the Olate Dogs, winners of America's Got Talent in 2012, and the Jesse White Tumblers. The schedule also features the ZooperStars, the Xpogo Stunt Team, BirdZerk!, and multiple appearances by Team Zoom Canine Entertainment.

The Famous Chicken will make his return to Fifth Third Field on July 30. The greatest success story in the history of sports mascot entertainment, the Chicken has been performing nationally since 1974. The Chicken was listed by the Sporting News as one of the 100 Most Powerful People in Sports in the 20th Century, joining names like Babe Ruth, Muhammad Ali, and Michael Jordan. He has performed in nine countries and all 50 states in the U.S. His antics once brought an Elvis Presley concert to a halt when Presley doubled over in laughter and stopped singing after seeing the Chicken's escapades in the aisles of the arena.

The Olate Dogs are an American dog trick act featuring father-and-son trainers Richard and Nicholas Olate. The group won the seventh season of America's Got Talent in 2012, claiming the $1 million first prize. They have also appeared on The Today Show and Live! With Regis and Kelly and many other national locations. They will visit Fifth Third Field for the first time ever on July 29.

The Jesse White Tumblers are known worldwide and have been performing since 1959. Their acrobatic show has been part of two Presidential Parades and has been seen in numerous NFL, NBA, and MLB stadiums. They will perform at Fifth Third Field on August 25th.

The ZOOperstars have become a fan favorite at Fifth Third Field based on past performances. These hilarious inflatable characters are based on sports figures with an animal resemblance, such as Clammy Sosa, Cow Ripken, and Ken Giraffey, Jr. The ZOOperstars will perform on June 25.

BirdZerk! is well-known for skits that revolve around pranks on players and umpires and acrobatic, synchronized dances. In 2008, BirdZerk! was named as the top minor league baseball promotional act by CNBC sports business columnist Darren Rovell. BirdZerk! will visit Fifth Third Field on June 26.

The Xpogo Stunt Team is the top pogo performance team in the world, flying nine feet in the air and engaging the crowd with flips and tricks. They will visit Fifth Third Field on May 20.

The Team Zoom Canine Entertainment group is already a fan favorite at Fifth Third Field. These unbelievably athletic dogs will perform death-defying leaps and unique tricks at incredible speeds. They will perform four times this season at Fifth Third Field, entertaining Dragons fans on May 14, June 24, July 31, and August 14.

2016 Schedule of National Entertainment Acts at Fifth Third Field

Saturday, May 14: Team Zoom Canine Entertainment

Friday, May 20: Xpogo

Friday, June 24: Team Zoom Canine Entertainment

Saturday, June 25: ZOOperstars

Sunday, June 26: BirdZerk!

Friday, July 29: Olate Dogs

Saturday, July 30: The Famous San Diego Chicken

Sunday, July 31: Team Zoom Canine Entertainment

Sunday, August 14: Team Zoom Canine Entertainment

Thursday, August 25: Jesse White Tumblers

Family and Community Events at Fifth Third Field in 2016

High School Baseball

For the ninth consecutive season, the Dragons will play host to high school baseball, as 35 area high school teams will play regular season games at Fifth Third Field. The 18-game schedule, sponsored by MAC Athletics, runs throughout April and May. Admission is free, and concession stands will be open so that fans can enjoy a full day at the ballpark. The high schools are able to provide their own PA announcers, cheer squads, national anthem singers, and some schools even bring their own radio broadcasters to the ballpark. Participating high schools sell Dragons tickets to help raise money for their programs.

Subway Dragons 5k

On July 23, the Dragons will partner with Subway to host the 5th annual 5k run. Pre-registration is underway online at daytondragons.com/subwaydragons5k. The race will begin at 9 a.m. and will conclude with a post-race party inside the stadium gates.

Bob Ross Classic High School All-Star Game

On June 18, the 16th Annual Bob Ross Classic will be played at Fifth Third Field. The exhibition game showcases the best rising high school seniors from schools across the Miami Valley.

Great American Beer Tasting

On Saturday, August 6, Heidelberg Distributing presents The Great American Beer Tasting. This special event at Fifth Third Field is open to guests 21 and older. Tickets go on sale April 26 and free t-shirts will be given to those who RSVP before June 1! Heidelberg Distributing will have over 100 different beers available for sampling and all attendees will receive a custom 2016 GABT pint glass and raffle ticket for high-end Budweiser and Dragons merchandise. Tickets will be available at the box office or online at daytondragons.com/beertasting.

Donatos Movie Night

All are welcome to Fifth Third Field on Saturday, August 20 as the Dragons host Donatos movie night. Fans can receive up to five tickets by purchasing a large Donatos pizza or an oven-baked sub. The event will be held from 6-10 p.m. at the ball park, with lots of fun activities planned for the whole family. Fans can either sit on blankets in the outfield or in stadium seats to watch the movie.

Mark Your Calendars!

High School Baseball at Fifth Third Field. A 17-game schedule begins April 12, giving high school players throughout the Miami Valley the opportunity to play at a professional facility.
Vectren Community All-Star Nights: May 13, June 13, July 18, August 13, August 25
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Home Run for Life: May 25, June 15, July 13, August 17
Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts Overnighters are back at Fifth Third Field. Boy Scouts night is Friday, May 13 and Girl Scout Night is slated for Friday, May 20. Local scouts spend the night at the ballpark and watch a movie on the video board.
Ford "Honor Them": May 1, May 22, June 12, June 17, and August 14
In conjunction with the Dayton Development Coalition, American Celebration nights are back in 2015 as the Dragons will spend two game nights honoring our local servicemen and women. Game dates are Saturday, May 21, and Saturday, August 13.
Dragons Experience Youth Baseball Clinics: June 30-July 1 & July 21-22
Bob Ross Classic High School All-Star Game: June 18
Subway Dragons 5k: July 23
Budweiser's Great American Beer Tasting: August 6
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Health and Fitness Carnival: August 14
Donatos Pizza Family Movie Night: August 20
Kroger Baseball Buddies! Kids 7-13 can go to local Kroger store to sign up for a chance to be a Kroger Baseball Buddy. Those picked will get a Dragons items, including an authentic Dragons jersey and will get to hang out with the players in the dug-out before the game.

###