Total Eclipse of the Park: August 21, 2017
COLUMBIA, SC -The Columbia Fireflies are celebrating "Total Eclipse of the Park" at 1:05 p.m. on Monday, August 21, 2017 as they host the Rome Braves at Spirit Communications Park. The game will feature a stoppage of play during the totality of the solar eclipse at approximately 2:41 p.m. People
COLUMBIA, SC -The Columbia Fireflies are celebrating "Total Eclipse of the Park" at 1:05 p.m. on Monday, August 21, 2017 as they host the Rome Braves at Spirit Communications Park. The game will feature a stoppage of play during the totality of the solar eclipse at approximately 2:41 p.m. People at the stadium will have the chance to witness the sun disappear behind the moon and turn daylight into twilight - and twilight back to daylight - over the ballpark.
Columbia, SC, considered to be the Total Eclipse Capital of the East Coast, has been cited as a top U.S. viewing city by multiple national media outlets including the New York Times, Today.com, USA Today, Buzzfeed, Fodor's Travel, the Telegraph, the Washington Post and more, and has been hailed as one of the best spots in the southeast for viewing the eclipse. The sun will disappear behind the moon for nearly two and a half minutes.
"We are thrilled to host this event at our ballpark," said Fireflies Vice President of Marketing & Public Relations Abby Naas. "It's a great opportunity to witness a once in a lifetime event during a baseball game, and our staff has worked hard to make this one of the most exciting events in the young history of Spirit Communications Park."
There will be a post-game party at the Budweiser Bowtie Bar on the centerfield concourse, featuring the BIG DM 101.3 FM and Hot 103.9 FM.
Columbia is set to wear specialty glow-in-the-dark jerseys. The primary color is black and the number and graphics on both the front and back will glow. The larger number on the back of the jersey overlaps a beautiful sketch of the moon covering the sun, only showing the sun's corona. (http://tinyurl.com/ybx3jdyg)
The jerseys will be put up for auction during the game, and fans across the U.S. will have the opportunity to place bids online. Successful bidders will have the option to have their jersey autographed by the player that wears it during the game. Proceeds from the auction will benefit Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) educational programs in the Midlands.
The Fireflies are home throughout Total Eclipse Weekend, as they will host Rome on Friday, August 18 and Saturday, August 19 at 7:05 p.m. First pitch on Sunday, August 20 will be at 5:05 p.m. Friday's game will feature post-game fireworks; Saturday's game will be NASA Night and will also feature post-game fireworks.
This is the first total solar eclipse to occur in the continental United States since 1979, and the first total solar eclipse to traverse the entire country since 1918. Plenty of exciting activities are in store to highlight an historic day at Spirit Communications Park. All fans in attendance will receive a pair of eclipse viewing glasses, courtesy of Bay Equity Home Loans and the Jeff Riley Team. There will be an iMAGINE STEM Festival starting at 10:00 a.m. and concluding with first pitch at 1:05 p.m. This festival consists of interactive exhibits from science, technology, engineering and math-centric organizations. It's the first STEM Festival to come to the Midlands. Your tickets for this event also grant you access to this once-in-a-lifetime Fireflies game.
Tickets for this incredible event are on sale now! There are plenty of Concourse Passes (perfect for eclipse-watching) available, but we encourage you to get them early. The Fireflies will also be offering a special Eclipse Picnic package, with seating on the Palmetto Pavilion. The Eclipse Picnic package includes house-made pulled pork, hamburgers, hot dogs, soft drinks and fixins from noon until 1:30 p.m. Visit FirefliesTickets.com, the Spirit Communications Park box office or call (803) 726-4487 for more information or to purchase Concourse Passes; Click here to purchase Eclipse Picnic Packages.
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About the Columbia Fireflies
The Columbia Fireflies are the South Atlantic League affiliate of the New York Mets. Winners of Ballpark Digest's Best New Branding and Logo Award in 2016, the Fireflies play games across the southeast and mid-Atlantic regions, including against in-state rivals in Charleston and Greenville. The team partnered with the city of Columbia and Hughes Development to construct Spirit Communications Park, a multi-use outdoor sports and entertainment venue at the center of the BullStreet development. The Columbia Fireflies are owned by Hardball Capital, owners of the Fort Wayne TinCaps of the Midwest League and the Chattanooga Lookouts of the Southern League. For more information, visit ColumbiaFireflies.com, or follow the Fireflies on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
About Spirit Communications Park
Spirit Communications Park, the 2016 Ballpark Digest Ballpark of the Year, is a 365-day per year multi-use sports and entertainment venue located in the heart of downtown Columbia, SC. Spirit Communications Park is the home ballpark for the Columbia Fireflies, the South Atlantic League affiliate of the New York Mets. Designed for baseball, concerts, football, soccer and a host of other activities, the venue seats approximately 9,000 for sporting events and up to 15,000 for major outdoor concerts. With 16 luxury suites and a 7,000 square-foot Club Level Lounge, Spirit Communications Park can also host everything from business meetings to wedding receptions, and everything in between. The venue is open 365 days a year and serves as a public park with the wrap-around concourse representing 1/3 of a mile for walkers and joggers. For more information, visit SpiritCommunicationsPark.com.
About S2TEM Centers SC Midlands
S2TEM Centers SC Midlands, part of South Carolina's Coalition for Mathematics and Science, promotes learning and bridges workforce needs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) by providing schools and districts with engaging ways to connect the WOW of STEM to the classroom. By partnering with businesses, industries, and manufacturers in the community, S2TEM Centers Midlands excites the next generation of innovators by exiting them today.
About iMAGINE STEM Festival Midlands
iMAGINE STEM Festival Midlands begins its inaugural event in Columbia, SC, which aims to promote learning and bridge workforce needs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The STEM Festival is supported by business and industry partners, non-profits, and education institutions providing hands-on activities and learning experiences. The event aims to capture the imagination and inspire PreK-12th grade students to become interested in STEM careers. Some of the organizations providing activities include SCE&G, the South Carolina Department of Education, University of South Carolina, Sumter Packaging Corporation, R2i2, 4-H Science on the Move, IT-oLogy, SCDNR/ Heritage Trust Program, ETV, Shaw AFB, and more. Additional information can be found at www.imaginesouthcarolina.org. Follow on twitter at @iMAGINEMidlands #STEMintheStadium