Free indoor Frost Fest set for Dec. 15

The Quad Cities River Bandits will again invite fans, families and friends inside for a day of holiday savings and fun activities at the sixth annual indoor Frost Fest, a free open house set for Sunday, Dec. 15, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Modern Woodmen Park.

The family fun will include games, arts and crafts, holiday cooking, a movie showing, and visits from Rascal the River Bandit and Santa Claus. Admission is free to the indoor Frost Fest, although the River Bandits encourage donations, all of which benefit the Bandit Scholars Program, which pays the entire first year of college tuition for two Quad Cities area students.

"The River Bandits enjoy the chance to host events year-round at Modern Woodmen Park, and we especially love to warm up the winter by welcoming the community inside for a free event and day of family-friendly fun," said team co-owner Dave Heller. "The many unique activities make for a fantastic holiday celebration to contribute to the great cause of the Bandit Scholars Program."

Among the activity options in the sports lounge and suite level will be a bounce house in the Sky Deck and a new photo booth for families to take pictures. There will also be cookie decorating and a special opportunity to make winter ice cream from snow at 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. Santa Claus will be at Frost Fest from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Throughout the indoor Frost Fest, the River Bandits team store will be open with special deals on merchandise and holiday gifts. Children can join the River Bandits Kids Club at a special rate for the upcoming season, and fans can purchase or renew their season ticket plans - with new lower prices - for 2014. Account representatives will also be available to answer questions about ticket plans and group outings.

"From holiday shopping to all the activities for the kids, the indoor Frost Fest will be great for the whole family," said General Manager Andrew Chesser. "As we remember a championship season and prepare for another, we are excited to celebrate the holidays with the Quad Cities community inside the ballpark!"

The River Bandits, the Class-A affiliate of the Houston Astros, will open the 2014 season at Modern Woodmen Park Thursday, April 3. A full schedule of home and road games for 2014 is available at www.riverbandits.com, and ticket plans for the 2014 season are now on sale.

UP NEXT: Join the River Bandits for a free day of holiday fun and activities at Modern Woodmen Park, Sunday, Dec. 15, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy a chance for holiday shopping, activities and indoor fun at the ballpark. To order ticket plans - with new lower prices - for next season, call the River Bandits box office at 563-324-3000 or visit www.riverbandits.com to download the season ticket order form. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $40. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: Having just been named Ballpark Digest's winner of Best Ballpark Improvement in America under $1 million, the River Bandits ownership is making one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 112 feet over the playing field, is planned for this spring, along with a carousel, a new ride called a "Drop and Twist," and many other new games and attractions. In 2013, the team unveiled a new 300-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, and a number of new bounce houses. The team's major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, just 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.