Making Fun, RiverDogs Open Home Slate to Showcase NBA Stars, Man's Best Friend and More

CHARLESTON, S.C. - The Charleston RiverDogs will open the gates of Riley Park for the first time this season on Thursday, April 11, kicking off a weeklong homestand to introduce their 23^rd year at The Joe. Charleston's Opening Week delivers with a "Make Fun" attitude for fans of all ages with homestand highlights including the first fireworks show of the season, NBA Draft Night, Kid's Opening Day and a medieval rendition of Monday Dog Day.
Thursday, April 11, 7:05 p.m.: Opening Night/Thirsty Thursday: The Charleston faithful pack the house for the RiverDogs' anticipated home opener, complete with the pomp and circumstance fans have come to expect. Mayor John Tecklenburg will be on hand to deliver the season's ceremonial first pitch and get the fun started as Charleston opens their 23^rd season at The Joe. It's also a Budweiser Thirsty Thursday, featuring dollar beers and DJ Natty Heavy in the Ashley View Pub. Fans can follow DJ Natty Heavy and 95SX on social media to win VIP wristbands to Club Budweiser and cut the beer lines. The first 1,000 fans through the gates will also receive a RiverDogs magnet schedule.
Friday, April 12, 7:05 p.m.: Fan Pick Fireworks: The RiverDogs light up the Ashley River with their first postgame fireworks show of the season presented by Home Telecom while honoring the military on a Red Shirt Friday in association with Boeing. In conjunction with 103.5 WEZL and Live 5 News, fans can submit their picks on social media for what they want to hear as part of "Fan Pick Fireworks." It's also a Boeing Red Shirt Friday; fans wearing red will receive $1 off regular ticket pricing at the box office with the option to donate that dollar back to support the Palmetto Warrior Connection Outreach Program. During an inning break, a deployed military serviceman, servicewoman - - or veteran unable to attend the game - will be called and thanked by all in attendance for their service.  
Saturday, April 13, 6:05 p.m.: NBA Draft Night: The RiverDogs provide the platform to make one of their fans the next breakout star in "The Association." All eligible fans in attendance can declare for the upcoming NBA Draft in line with league rules (19 and older) and have a chance to hit a $1,000 half-court shot as part of a Saturdays Live at The Joe presented by 99.3 The Box and Fox 24 following the game. The RiverDogs will wear specialty jerseys that are the first of their kind; in the spirit of draft day style, the inside of each "suit" is lined with even more RiverDogs pride. It's also Make-A-Wish SC "Wish Night" at the ballpark.
Sunday, April 14, 5:05 p.m.: Kid's Opening Day/Holy City Sunday: The RiverDogs proudly display the city of Charleston's famous moniker and welcome in Lowcountry kids on the first Holy City Sunday of the season. Tying a bow on the RiverDogs' opening weekend, kids take over the ballpark for Kids Opening Day as Lowcountry youth try their hand at everything from ticket taking to PA announcing, concession staffing to operating cameras, and more. As part of an MUSC Health Family Sunday, families can enjoy free parking and play pregame catch on the field. Kids at the ballpark eat free, run the bases post-game and play catch on the field pre-game, and members of the MUSC Children's Health Kids Club (12 and under) get in for free presented by Y102.5 and ABC News 4.

 

Monday, April 15, 7:05 p.m.: Game of Bones Dog Day: Spring is here, but winter is coming. Join Charlie's army of pups and storm the gates of Riley Park for the first Monday Dog Day of the season. Humans can enjoy dollar beers and hot dogs presented by Busch Light while cheering on the RiverDogs with their furry friends. Don't miss a Bay Street Biergarten craft beer tasting on the concourse. As part of "Dogs with a Cause," the RiverDogs and Blackbaud, the local software and services leader for the global philanthropic community, will share the spotlight with local non-profit R3, Inc., a youth organization committing to enriching the lives of youth in the area through superior programs and supportive partners.
Tuesday, April 16, 7:05 p.m.: Live & Local Tuesday: Celebrate Charleston's local scene on the first Food Lion Live & Local Tuesday of the season. Fans can enjoy local produce with a farmer's market on the concourse with a different local music artist each week presented by 105.5 The Bridge. The RiverDogs are also offering the all-new BellyItcher Ale, proudly brewed in conjunction with local brewery Rusty Bull, to be debuted as part of the Opening Week festivities. Fans can enjoy the all-new summer staple as part of Live & Local Tuesdays.
Wednesday, April 17, 11:05 a.m.: Education Day: It's Education Day at The Joe as the RiverDogs welcome students from around the Lowcountry. Approximately 5,000 local students and their teachers will play hooky for the day as the RiverDogs take on Greenville.
Fans can "Make Fun" with the RiverDogs all season long when they open their home slate on Thursday, April 11 against the Greensboro Grasshoppers to kick off a weeklong homestand at The Joe. Single-game tickets, including options to the Riley Park Club, are now available at riverdogs.com/tickets or by contacting the RiverDogs front office at 843-577-3647 (DOGS). A full schedule and list of game times for the 2019 season is available at riverdogs.com.
--RIVERDOGS--