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Great Lakes Loons Announce 2023 Promotions Schedule

Highlights include Joey Chestnut Appearance, Nickelodeon Partnership, Three Giveaways
February 2, 2023

MIDLAND, Mich. – The countdown stands at 64 days to Opening Day and the Great Lakes Loons are excited to announce the action-packed promotional schedule for the 16th season of Loons Baseball. Among the highlights of the schedule is an appearance by 15x Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest Champion Joey

MIDLAND, Mich. – The countdown stands at 64 days to Opening Day and the Great Lakes Loons are excited to announce the action-packed promotional schedule for the 16th season of Loons Baseball. Among the highlights of the schedule is an appearance by 15x Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest Champion Joey Chestnut, the launch of Nickelodeon days with appearances by SpongeBob SquarePants and Paw Patrol, three premium item giveaways, the return of Marvel Super Hero™ Nights featuring Captain America and Spiderman, and the return of Los Pepinillos Picantes del Norte as part of Minor League Baseball’s Copa de la Diversión program. The season kicks off on April 7th at 6:05 PM against the Lansing Lugnuts.

As previously announced, the fan-favorite lineup of weekly promotions returns for 2023:

  • Tuesdays: Hometown Heroes (Military, Veterans, First Responders, Frontline Healthcare Workers receive a free meal)
  • Wednesdays: Paws and Claws presented by White Claw (50% off White Claw and bring your dog to the game)
  • Thursdays: Thirsty Thursdaypoured by J.P. O’Sullivan Distributing (50% off draft beer)
  • Friday: Feast Fridays presented by Isabella Bank ($2 hot dogs, $1 potato chips, $1 16-ounce soft drinks, $1 ice cream sandwiches)
  • Saturdays starting June 10th (Select Fridays): Fireworks Loontaculars powered by Farm Bureau Insurance
  • Sundays: Kids Eat Free and Run the Bases

The lone celebrity appearance of the season, 15x Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest Champion Joey Chestnut will come to Dow Diamond on August 11th during the game against the West Michigan Whitecaps. The holder of fifty (50) world records for competitive eating, Chestnut will meet and greet with fans during the game before performing in an eating competition against local celebrities before the Fireworks Loontacular. Meet and greet package information will be announced at a later date. The game is also a Feast Friday Friday.

Dow Diamond will turn orange and get covered in slime during two Nickelodeon Nights presented by MyMichigan Health. Both games will feature character appearances with SpongeBob SquarePants attending the game on July 29th against the Dayton Dragons and Chase from Paw Patrol attending the game on August 26th against the Fort Wayne TinCaps. Both games will feature a post-game Fireworks Loontacular. Meet and greet package information for both characters will be announced at a later date.

The promotional schedule features three (3) premium item giveaways this season with each item being given away to the first 1,000 fans through the gate each game:

  • Friday, June 30th: Loons Fourth of July Beach Towel Giveaway presented by MyMichigan Health, featuring Feast Friday and post-game Fireworks Loontacular
  • Friday, July 28th: Loons Alpine Hat Giveaway, featuring Feast Friday
  • Saturday, September 2nd: Loons Baseball Cap Giveaway presented by Fidelity Investments, featuring post-game Fireworks Loontacular

The Marvel Universe returns to Dow Diamond for two nights this year as part of Minor League Baseball’s Defenders of the DiamondSeries and Marvel Super HeroNights. Each game will feature character appearances on the Dow Diamond concourse. The Loons will be outfitted in limited edition Marvel-inspired jerseys. Each game also features a post-game Fireworks Loontacular. The Marvel games include:

  • Saturday, July 1st: Marvel Super Hero™ Night featuring Captain America
  • Saturday, August 12th: Defenders of the Diamond™ Night featuring Spiderman

Los Pepinillos Picantes del Norte return as part of Minor League Baseball’s Copa de la Diversión initiative this season with three nights dedicated to celebrating the Hispanic and Latino communities in the Great Lakes Bay Region. Starting in 2017, “Copa” has grown to nearly 90 teams across 33 states and has seen millions of fans attend Copa games over the years. The 2023 Copa de la Diversión games presented by MLive at Dow Diamond are June 16th, July 14th, and August 25th. All the games are a Feast Friday with July 14th also being a Fireworks Loontacular.

Fan favorites Star Wars Night (June 10th), Jurassic Ballpark Night presented by MyMichigan Health (June 17th), and Princess and Pirate Night (July 15th) return in 2023 as well, with character appearances on the Dow Diamond concourse each night. All three games feature a post-game Fireworks Loontacular.

Single-game tickets go on sale on March 1st. Fans looking to lock in the best seats now can do so now by purchasing a ticket package, ranging from 5 games up to a full-season package.

“We couldn’t be more excited for the 2023 season to get underway,” stated Chris Mundhenk, President, and General Manager. “Our promotions team took a comprehensive look at the last fifteen years of fan-favorite promotions, current trends in pop culture, and iconic baseball traditions when putting together this season’s schedule. When I look at the schedule holistically, there is a promotion that appeals to every fan and their interests. We can’t wait to welcome everyone to Dow Diamond on April 7th for Opening Day.”

The Great Lakes Loons have been the Single-A partner of the Los Angeles Dodgers since the team’s inception in 2007. Dow Diamond serves as the team’s home and also houses the Michigan Baseball Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity, and ESPN 100.9-FM. For tickets or information about the Loons, call 989-837-BALL or visit Loons.com.

The entire Great Lakes Loons 2023 Promotional Schedule* is as follows:

April

  • 7th: Opening Day; 2023 Magnet Schedule Giveaway (First 1,000 Fans); Feast Friday

  • 9th: Post-Game Easter Egg Hunt; Kids Eat Free and Run The Bases

  • 18th: Hometown Heroes

  • 19th: Paws and Claws

  • 20th:Thirsty Thursday™

  • 21st: Feast Friday

  • 22nd: Grow Your Own Bat Day; Earth Day; Free Sugar Maple Tree Saplings (First 200 Fans who sign up to VoLOONteer)

  • 23rd: Kids Eat Free and Run the Bases

May

  • 2nd: School Kids Day; Hometown Heroes
  • 3rd: Paws and Claws
  • 4th: Thirsty Thursday™
  • 5th: Feast Friday
  • 7th: Pre-game Youth Baseball Clinic; Kids Eat Free and Run the Bases
  • 16th: School Kids Day; Hometown Heroes
  • 17th: Paws and Claws
  • 18th: Thirsty Thursday™
  • 19th: Feast Friday
  • 20th: 4H Day; Loons Reading Program Day presented by Delta College
  • 21st: 2nd Chance Mother’s Day presented by AHP; Kids Eat Free and Run the Bases; United Way Day

June

  • 6th: Hometown Heroes
  • 7th: Paws and Claws
  • 8th: Margaritaville Night presented by Garpiel Group; Thirsty Thursday™; Central Michigan University Night
  • 9th: Pride Night presented by Dow GLAD; Dodgers Bluesday presented by Fisher Companies; Feast Friday
  • 10th: Star Wars Night; Star Wars Jersey Auction; Fireworks Loontacular; Boy Scout Night
  • 11th: Kids Club Takeover presented by MyMichigan Health; Play Ball Weekend; Faith and Family Day; Kids Eat Free and Run the Bases; Loons Reading Program Day presented by Delta College
  • 13th: Back In My Day Game (50’s, 60’s, and 70’s); Hometown Heroes
  • 14th: Paws and Claws
  • 15th: 80’s Night featuring Midland Center for the Arts’ cast of Footloose; Thirsty Thursday™; Healthcare Appreciation
  • 16th: Copa de la Diversión presented by MLive
  • 17th: Jurassic Ballpark Night presented by MyMichigan Health; Fireworks Loontacular
  • 18th: Father’s Day presented by P.C.U.P.S. Foundation; Post-Game Father/Child Catch on the Field; Loons Jersey Auction; Kids Eat Free and Run the Bases; Loons Reading Program Day presented by Delta College
  • 28th: Paws and Claws
  • 29th: Michigander Night; Thirsty Thursday™
  • 30th: Loons Beach Towel Giveaway presented by MyMichigan Health (First 1,000 Fans); Dodgers Bluesday presented by Fisher Companies

July

  • 1st: Marvel Super Hero™ Night with Captain America; Captain America Jersey Auction; Fireworks Loontacular
  • 2nd: “Meat” the Team Day presented by Michigan Brand Meats; Team Photo Giveaway (First 1,000 Fans); Kids Eat Free and Run the Bases
  • 3rd: Hometown Heroes; Loons 1 Mile Beer Run presented by Z93; Dodgers Bluesday presented by Fisher Companies
  • 14th: Copa de la Diversión presented by MLive; Feast Friday: Fireworks Loontacular
  • 15th: Princess and Pirate Night; Faith and Family Night; Fireworks Loontacular; Girl Scout Night
  • 16th: Kids Club Takeover presented by MyMichigan Heath; Meijer Family Fun Day; Kids Eat Free and Run the Bases
  • 25th: Hometown Heroes
  • 26th: Paws and Claws
  • 27th: Country Music Night presented by Michigan Brand Meats; Ferris State University Night; Thirsty Thursday™
  • 28th: Alpine Hat Giveaway (First 1,000 Fans); Gold Rush Game presented by KZoo Bullion; Northern Diver Jersey Launch; Feast Friday
  • 29th: Nickelodeon Night with SpongeBob SquarePants presented by MyMichigan Health; SpongeBob SquarePants Jersey Auction; Fireworks Loontacular
  • 30th: Inclusion Day presented by Corteva; Post-Game Miracle League Exhibition; Kids Eat Free and Run the Bases

August

  • 8th: Hometown Heroes
  • 9th: Paws and Claws
  • 10th: Baseball Bingo Night; Thirsty Thursday™
  • 11th: Joey Chestnut Appearance; Mossy Oak Camo Jersey Auction; Labor Union Night; Faith and Family Night, Feast Friday; Fireworks Loontacular
  • 12th: Marvel Defenders of the Diamond™ Night with Spiderman; Fireworks Loontacular
  • 13th: PBS Kids Daniel Tiger Celebrates Lou E. Loon’s Birthday; Kids Eat Free and Run the Bases
  • 22nd: Hometown Heroes
  • 23rd: Paws and Claws
  • 24th: Lucky Hot Dog Night; Thirsty Thursday™
  • 25th: Copa de la Diversión presented by MLive; Greater Midland Loons Pennant 5K Race; Los Pepinillos Picantes del Norte Jersey Auction; Feast Friday; Teacher Appreciation Night
  • 26th: Nickelodeon Night with Chase from Paw Patrol presented by MyMichigan Health; Paw Patrol Jersey Auction; Fireworks Loontacular
  • 27th: Kids Club Takeover presented by MyMichigan Health; Kids Eat Free and Run the Bases; First Responder Day; Hope at Bat Day
  • 29th: Hometown Heroes
  • 30th: Paws and Claws
  • 31st: True Crime Night; Thirsty Thursday™

September

  • 1st: The Nine Night; Dodgers Bluesday presented by Fisher Companies; Loons Dodgers Jersey Auction; Feast Friday
  • 2nd: Loons Hat Giveaway Presented by Fidelity Investments; Loons 1 Mile Beer Run pres by Z93; Fireworks Loontacular
  • 3rd: Regular Season Finale; Fan Appreciation Day; Kids Eat Free and Run the Bases

*Promotions may be subject to change.