Bandits to host celebration & appreciation of Senator Tom Harkin for 40 years of service to Iowa
The Quad Cities River Bandits will give away a bobblehead of U.S. Senator Tom Harkin at Modern Woodmen Park at their 1:15 p.m. game Sunday, Aug. 17, which will be a Celebration and Appreciation of Senator Tom Harkin for 40 years of Service to Iowa in Congress. The day will be sponsored by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).
Gates open at noon on Sunday, Aug. 17, and the first 1,000 fans to the ballpark will receive a bobblehead of Senator Tom Harkin, who has announced he will retire following his fifth term as Senator from Iowa and 40th year serving in Congress for Iowa. Senator Harkin and Davenport Mayor Bill Gluba will be on hand Aug. 17 to throw out ceremonial first pitches before the River Bandits' 1:15 p.m. game. Senator Harkin will also be available before the game to personally autograph the bobbleheads made in his likeness.
"Senator Harkin epitomizes all that's good about public service, and his bipartisan leadership will be sorely missed," said River Bandits owner Dave Heller. "From the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act to protecting workers' pensions to promoting biofuels and energy independence, Senator Harkin has been a leader on issues that directly affect the people of Iowa and our nation. We are proud to honor and celebrate his forty years of service in the U.S. Congress."
"In Iowa, baseball is important and is part of our local economy and part of our history," said Harkin. "As a fan, I'm honored to throw out the first pitch at the ballpark considered the best minor league stadium in America - Modern Woodmen Park - and join the fans of the Quad Cities River Bandits to enjoy a day along the beautiful Davenport riverfront."
Sunday, Aug. 17, is also a Family Sunday presented by KWQC and B100 and Pirates and Princesses Theme Day. River Bandits players will sign pregame autographs, fans can bring their dogs to the ballpark for Bark in the Park, and Kids Run the Bases following the game.
UP NEXT: Back-to-back Fireworks nights and two bobbleheads in three days both begin on Thursday. The first 700 fans to Modern Woodmen Park when the gates open at 5:30 p.m. Thursday will receive a Craig Biggio Bobblehead courtesy of Prairie Farms and FOX18. The first 500 fans who wear red to the ballpark will receive a koozie from HAVlife, which will also present a special postgame fireworks show on a Thirst-Day with $2 drink specials presented by the River Cities' Reader. Friday is the Autism Awareness Night, the award-winning promotion and the third annual photo jersey auction presented by KWQC, with Friday Fireworks presented by Smart Toyota of the Quad Cities, WQAD and WLLR. The Roger Clemens Bobblehead giveaway presented by Ruhl & Ruhl Insurance, West Bend and the Quad-City Times is Saturday, and the homestand continues throughSunday. Tickets are available at www.riverbandits.com.
ABOUT THE BANDITS: Having just been named Ballpark Digest's winner of Best Ballpark Improvement in America under $1 million, the River Bandits ownership recently made one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 105 feet over the playing field, opened May 24, and Space Camp opened June 20; the newly expanded 300-foot long zip line has also reopened. In 2013, the team unveiled a new 220-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, and a number of new bounce houses. Last season, the team's major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, saw all six of its affiliates reach the playoffs - the first time in a decade any MLB team can claim such success. The River Bandits were one of three affiliates to reach the championship round and one of two to win their league championship.