RubberDucks Announce 2015 Promo Schedule
(AKRON, OHIO) February 17, 2015 - The Akron RubberDucks announced its promotional schedule for the 2015 season today, packed with 71 games of premium giveaways, fan favorites, nightly theme nights, and the always-popular fireworks shows.
This year's promotional schedule is once again loaded with giveaways and promotions, many tied to local Northeast Ohio sports teams and star athletes. The first of which is a bobblehead of RubberDucks' mascot Webster on April 25. On June 20, it will be "The Richfield Coliseum Strikes Back - Star Wars Night" with a RubberDucks-worn Cleveland Force replica jersey auction, Larry Nance bobblehead giveaway, and Star Wars-themed fireworks, presented by Summa Health System. The following Saturday, June 27, it will be "A Salute to American Muscle" Military Appreciation Night, featuring an Albert Belle bobble bicep giveaway and AC/DC fireworks.
The second half of the schedule includes the annual nod to the movie "Major League" on July 25 with a Pedro Cerrano bobblehead giveaway on Christmas in July Celebration night, which will also have Trans-Siberian Orchestra fireworks, sponsored by the Akron-Canton Airport. Finally, on Aug. 8, it will be Browns Night with a jersey auction and Guns N' Roses fireworks. Adding to the night is a special appearance and bobblehead giveaway of Michael Dean Perry, the six-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman who played for the Browns from 1988-94.
"(Promotions coordinator) Christina Urycki and our team have done a tremendous job compiling unique promotional themes for all 71 games," said RubberDucks general manager Jim Pfander. "I think this is one of the most exciting, creative promotional schedules we've put together," said Pfander.
The RubberDucks are home for two holidays in 2015. There is a Mother's Day Celebration on May 10 and a Father's Day Celebration on June 21, both are Sunday Family FUNdays, presented by Akron Children's Hospital. In addition, there will be an Independence Day Celebration on July 3, with "Day-Early Patriotic Fireworks," presented by First Energy Corp., along with a special pre-game Main Street Festival.
Additional giveaways include magnet schedules on Opening Night, April 9, youth-sized MDS Bats on April 11, a pillow case giveaway presented by Summa Health System on May 9, a bobble belly of the character Chunk from "The Goonies" performing the "Truffle Shuffle" on May 30, a youth jersey giveaway presented by VisitPITTSBURGH on July 11, and a bobble replica of the fan-favorite, and Akron's only, Tiki Bar on Aug. 29. Giveaways are for the first 1,000 fans or, in some instances, kids 12 and under.
"We are really excited about our promotional schedule for the RubberDucks 2015 season. We know fans will be thrilled about favorites such as the RubberDucks Comicon, Princess Tea Party, Used Car Giveaway, and Midget Wrestling," said RubberDucks promotions coordinator Christina Urycki.
One of the new nightly promotions in 2015 is the Tuesday's "Cult Movie Classics," when the night will be themed around beloved classic movies such as "The Breakfast Club," "Office Space," "Zoolander," "Grease," "The Big Lebowski," "Back to the Future," "The Princess Bride," "Rocky Horror Picture Show," and "Real Genius."
Some of the most popular promotions returning to Canal Park in 2015, include an extended ZOOperstars! show between games of the schedule doubleheader on July 11, "Look, my hot dog is GREEN!" $1,000 giveaway (May 29), two Big Splash Days (June 18 and July 29, both starting at 12:05 p.m.), two "Bark in the Park" games (June 10 and Aug. 19), back-to-back Education Days (10:35 a.m. starts on May 20 and May 21), post-game midget wrestling (Aug. 27) and the return of Elvis with fireworks and post-game $1,000 cash dash (May 9).
There is even a chance for fans to win a used car (Aug. 7), and the second annual RubberDucks Comicon (June 28).
"This season, we are eager to unveil an array of new promotions," said Urycki. "Nights such as 'Let's SH'ELEBRATE! Sean Connery's 85th Birthday Bash,' and 'You Quack Me Up! Stand-Up Comedy Night' are two promotions that will surely give fans a taste of Minor League Baseball's fun, playful atmosphere."
However, always the most popular returning promotion is Canal Park's amazing fireworks shows. This season, there are 20 themed fireworks shows, which includes Opening Night, every Friday night, and all Saturdays from June through the end of the season, and Fan Appreciation Night on Sept. 3.
The RubberDucks are also using the promotional schedule as a chance to help the local community. There are reading nights for Summit County (April 13), Stark County (April 14), Portage County (April 27), and Medina County (April 28). The Akron Summit County Public Library Night is July 28 and Teacher Appreciation Night is on June 11 with a special 5:05 p.m. start.
The Oak Clinic for Multiple Sclerosis is holding a pre-game 1K Fun Run & Awareness night on April 26, and Akron Children's Hospital's Hematology/Oncology Awareness Night on Aug. 28 is an annual fan favorite with its "Home Run for Life" ceremony. In addition, the RubberDucks and local non-profit organizations will team up each Monday for the "Charity Begins at Home" program to raise funds and awareness for that particular game's organization.
"There is something every night for fans of all ages," said Pfander. "Kids will love the Big Splash Days, fun giveaways, and Family FUNdays, while their parents will get a kick out of the 'Cult Movie Classics' and some of the Northeast Ohio sports ties from their childhood."
It all kicks off on a fun-filled Opening Night, Thursday, April 9 vs. Binghamton Mets at 6:35 p.m. with the Main Street Festival from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Fans will also be treated to a special U2-themed fireworks show and magnet schedule giveaway, presented by Repros Inc. In addition, Opening Night is a "Thirsty Thirsty" at Canal Park, sponsored by D.G. Yuengling Brewery, with $1 beer and soft drinks.
Opening Night will host the first of four Main Street Festivals. The others: on June 19, July 3, and Aug. 28, are scheduled from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
NIGHTLY PROMOTIONS
There are six reoccurring nightly promotions throughout the 2015 season.
- SUNDAY -- "Family FUNday," presented by Akron Children's Hospital & ESPN Cleveland
- Fans can come early to play catch on the field and kids run the bases after the game
- MONDAY - presented by Akron General Health System and 91.3 The Summit
- "Medical Mondays" & "Charity Begins at Home" - The RubberDucks and a local non-profit organization team up to raise funds and awareness with a different organization each Monday
- TUESDAY -- "Two for Tuesdays"
- Features a buy-one-get-one reserved ticket seat deal
- "Cult Movie Classics" featuring themes based on beloved classic movies each Tuesday
- WEDNESDAY - presented by 98.1 WKDD
- THURSDAY - presented by D.G. Yuengling Brewery & 94.9 WQMX
- "Thirsty Thursdays," presented by D.G. Yuengling Brewery, featuring $1 draft beer and soft drinks specials
- FRIDAY - presented by Akron Beacon Journal
- Themed fireworks shows each Friday
- SATURDAY - presented by Northern Ohio Honda Dealers, 97.5 WONE, & 1590 WAKR
- "Celebrity Saturdays" - Mystery public address announcers, celebrity appearances, premium giveaways to the first 1,000 fans, and fireworks starting in June
2015 Akron RubberDucks Promotional Schedule Highlights:
April
April 9: Happy New Year! U2 Fireworks! Thirsty Thursday presented by D.G. Yuengling Brewery - Magnet Schedule Giveaway presented by Repros Inc. - Main Street Festival 4-6pm
April 23: Thirsty Thursday Throwdown - Akron vs. Kent
April 25: Celebrity Saturday - Webster Bobblehead Giveaway presented by Distillata/ High School Doubleheader Hoban v. St. Vincent-St. Mary (10:30AM start)
April 27: "Brian Williams' Pants-on-Fire" - National Tell a Story Day - Portage County Reading Night
MAY
May 8: Get ready to "Scrub In" for Nurse Appreciation Night presented by Akron General Health System - Scrub Jersey Auction - Styx Fireworks
May 10: Family FUNday - Mother's Day Celebration - Striking Out Breast Cancer presented by Susan G. Komen
May 28: Thirsty Thursday - The Price is Right Night
May 30: Celebrity Saturday - "Hey You Guys!" It's the 30th Anniversary of "The Goonies!" - Truffle Shuffle Bobble Belly Giveaway presented by Pepsi
JUNE
June 17: You Quack Me Up! Stand-Up Comedy Night
June 20: Celebrity Saturday - The Richfield Coliseum Strikes Back - Star Wars Night w/ replica Cleveland Force Jersey Auction - Larry Nance Bobblehead Giveaway and Star Wars Fireworks presented by Summa Health System
June 27: Celebrity Saturday - "A Salute to American Muscle" Military Appreciation Night - Albert Belle Bobble Bicep Giveaway - AC/DC Fireworks
June 28: Family FUNday - 2nd Annual RubberDucks Comicon w/ Appearance by NEO Ghostbusters
JULY
July 3: Independence Day Celebration - A Day Early-Patriotic Fireworks presented by First Energy Corp. - Main Street Festival 5-7
July 11: Celebrity Saturday- ZOOperstars! Appearance - Youth Jersey Giveaway presented by VisitPITTSBURGH (First 1,000 Kids, 12 & under) - Counting Crows Fireworks
July 24: OSU Night - We are the National Champions! - Queen Fireworks - RubberDucks will wear gray road jerseys
July 25: Celebrity Saturday - Christmas in July Celebration - Trans-Siberian Orchestra Fireworks presented by Akron-Canton Airport - Pedro Cerrano Bobblehead Giveaway
July 26: Family FUNday - Yo, ho! Let's go! A Pirates Life for Me - Puny Pirate Party
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER
Aug. 8: Celebrity Saturday - Browns Night - Michael Dean Perry Bobblehead Giveaway w/ Appearance by Michael Dean Perry - Replica Jersey Auction - Guns N' Roses Fireworks
Aug. 9: Family FUNday - Pre-game RubberDucks 5k - Princess Tea Party
Aug. 21: Let's SH'ELEBRATE! Sean Connery's 85th Birthday Bash! - James Bond Fireworks
Aug. 29: Celebrity Saturday - "It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere!" Replica Bobble Tiki Bar Giveaway - Jimmy Buffet Fireworks
Sept. 3: Thirsty Thursday - Fan Appreciation Night - Led Zeppelin Fireworks presented by Goodyear Auto Service Centers
A complete 2015 Akron RubberDucks promotional schedule is available on www.akronrubberducks.com.
The Akron RubberDucks are the Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. The 2015 season will be its 19th since moving to Canal Park and its second as the RubberDucks. Last season, the team attracted 350,704 fans to Canal Park, an average of 5,157 per game. The team will begin the 2015 regular season at home on Thursday, April 9 against the defending Eastern League champions, the Binghamton Mets, at 6:35 p.m. at Canal Park. For more information featuring the Akron RubberDucks, go to www.AkronRubberDucks.com or call 330-253-5151. The Akron RubberDucks are on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AkronRubberDucks and Twitter at @AkronRubberDuck.