RubberDucks Release 2014 Promo Schedule
(AKRON, OHIO) February 12, 2014 - The Akron RubberDucks announced its promotional schedule for the 2014 season today, packed with 71 games of premium giveaways, fan favorites, nightly theme nights, and the always-popular fireworks shows. For the first time in franchise history, the team will be home for all major holidays during the season, which will include a special Independence Day Celebration. The schedule features several ties to Akron's community and heritage, as well as the new RubberDucks identity. Teamed with the new identity, new uniforms, and new stadium improvements, Canal Park will be Akron's home of affordable, family fun all season.
In addition to the Independence Day Celebration on July 4, there is a Mother's Day Celebration on May 11 and a Father's Day Celebration on June 15, both Sunday Family FUNdays, presented by Akron Children's Hospital. Memorial Day on May 26 is a special 1:05 p.m. start and Fan Appreciation Day takes place on Labor Day, Sept. 1, which is also a special 1:05 p.m. start.
"Being home on all the major holidays, including the 4th of July, Canal Park is going to be the place to be all spring and summer long in Northeast Ohio," said RubberDucks general manager Jim Pfander.
The new RubberDucks-themed nights appear throughout the schedule. The most-anticipated of those nights is on May 24 when Mountain Man from the hit show "Duck Dynasty" pays Canal Park a visit on "Duck Dynasty" Night. Others include a record-breaking attempt for largest game of "Duck, Duck, Goose" on July 18, a Rubber Duck Bank giveaway on April 12, and the "Oops! I Stepped on a Duck Night!" Whoopee Cushion giveaway on Aug. 19.
Several new giveaways and promotions will catch fans' attention, including the four nights of the Rock 'n Bobble giveaway series. The first of which is the DEVO bobblehead (May 24, "Duck Dynasty" Night), followed by the Eagles' Joe Walsh bobblehead, sponsored by Pepsi (June 14, Military Appreciation Night and Eagles Fireworks), the Pretenders' Chrissie Hynde (June 28, Ohio Lottery 40th Anniversary Celebration and Pretenders Fireworks), and The Black Keys (July 5, ZOOperstars! Appearance, The Black Keys Fireworks presented by Pyrotechnico, and the RubberDucks only home game in gray uniforms).
"We are really excited about our promotional schedule for the RubberDucks 2014 season. The Rock'n Bobble series honors noteworthy musicians from the area, we've got great theme nights to tie into the local community, and we're bringing in some great celebrities," said RubberDucks director of promotions Christina Shisler.
There is also two other fun Cleveland-sports bobbleheads. The RubberDucks will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the film "Major League" on July 19 with a Jake Taylor Bobble Knees giveaway. That night will include the players wearing and auctioning off Cleveland Indians 1980's style uniforms seen in the movie before Journey-themed fireworks kick off. The fireworks and bobblehead are sponsored by the Akron-Canton Airport. The other bobblehead is a Bernie Kosar bobblehead giveaway, highlighting Browns Night on Aug. 9, which includes Bon Jovi Fireworks, sponsored by Albert Guarnieri & Co.
A bobblehead giveaway is set aside for a unique night at Canal Park. On May 10, the RubberDucks will celebrate "Women in Baseball" with a special appearance and bobblehead of Sharon Hargrove, wife of former Indians' pennant-winning manager Mike Hargrove. More "Women in Baseball" details will be announced in the future.
"We brought back fan favorites like the Princess Tea Party, Sausagefest, Pirate Night, Condiment Wars, the Cash Dash, and Midget Wrestling, while also planning new nights that fans won't soon forget," said Shisler. "While planning the schedule, we focused on all the fun ways we could tie in our moniker, the RubberDucks, while also coming back to the great heritage of the Rubber City."
Some of the most popular promotions returning to Canal Park in 2014, including the ZOOperstars! (July 5), "Look, my hot dog is GREEN!" $1,000 giveaway (May 23), two Big Splash Days (June 25 and July 23, both starting at 12:05 p.m.), and "Elvis is Back in the Building!" with fireworks (May 31).
However, always the most popular returning promotion is Canal Park's amazing fireworks shows. This season, there are 18 themed fireworks shows, which includes Opening Night, every Friday night, and all Saturdays from June through the end of the season.
The RubberDucks are also using the promotional schedule as a chance to help the local community. There are reading nights for Stark County (April 14, Pop vs. Soda Night), Summit County (April 15, Akron Beacon Journal 175th Birthday Party), Portage County and private schools (April 28, Bubble Wrap Bonanza), and Medina County (May 12, Star Wars Night). The Oak Clinic for Multiple Sclerosis is holding a 1K Fun Run & Awareness night on April 27, and Akron Children's Hospital's Hematology/Oncology Awareness Night on Aug. 29 is an annual fan favorite. 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 even a chance for fans to win a used car (June 27), and the first RubberDucks Comicon on June 1.
"We have another exciting line up of events in 2014 and, thanks to promotions director Christina Shisler, we have one of the best promotional schedules that I've seen in my career in Minor League Baseball. There is something every night for fans of all ages," said Pfander.
It all kicks off on a fun-filled Opening Night, Thursday, April 11 vs. Bowie Baysox at 6:35 p.m. with the Main Street Festival from 4-6 p.m. At the game, fans will get a first look at the new RubberDucks' uniforms on the field as well as the introduction of the team's new mascot, who will join fan favorites Orbit and Homer. Fans will also be treated to a special fireworks show and a magnet schedule giveaway, sponsored by Albert Guarnieri & Co. In addition, Opening Night is a "Thirsty Thirsty" at Canal Park, with $1 beer and soft drinks
Returning this season are the $2 hot dogs at every home game. Also returning is the popular "Extreme Foods" menu, which includes the "Nice 2 Meat U" burger (a two lb. hamburger, featuring a 1 ¼ lb. beef patty stuffed with a half-pound of hot dogs and a quarter-pound of bacon, cheese and onions), the "3 Dog Night" (a hot dog stuffed in a bratwurst wrapped in kielbasa, topped with sauerkraut and Stadium Mustard, served on a hoagie roll), and "The Screamer" (twenty-one scoops of hand-dipped ice cream, covered with hot fudge sauce, whipped cream, and sprinkles, served on a one-pound chocolate brownie in a full-size souvenir RubberDucks replica batting helmet)
NIGHTLY PROMOTIONS
There are six reoccurring nightly promotions throughout the 2014 season.
- SUNDAY -- "Family FUNday," presented by Akron Children's Hospital & ESPN Cleveland 850 WKNR
- 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
- WEDNESDAY - presented by 98.1 WKDD
- THURSDAY - presented by 94.9 WQMX
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- "Thirsty Thursday" featuring $1 draft beer and soft drink 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
2014 Akron RubberDucks Promotional Schedule Highlights:
April
April 10: Opening Night Fireworks! -Thirsty Thursday-Magnet Schedule Giveaway -Presented by Albert Guarnieri & Co.-Main Street Festival 4-6pm
April 25: Michael Stanley Band Fireworks-Only in Ohio Night
April 27: Family FUNday-Oak Clinic for MS Awareness with 1K Fun Run-Orange Jersey Auction
April 29: Bring Your Mother-In-Law Night
MAY
May 9: Pirate Fireworks-Pirate Night, "It's Time to Walk the Plank Mateys!"
May 10: Celebrity Saturday: Women in Baseball Appearance from Sharon Hargrove -Sharon Hargrove Bobblehead Giveaway presented by Distillata
May 24: Celebrity Saturday-Duck Dynasty Night w/Appearance by Mountain Man-Rock'n Bobble Giveaway featuring DEVO
May 31: Celebrity Saturday-Elvis is Back in the Building!-MDS Baseball Bat Giveaway (First 1000 Kids, 12 & under)
JUNE
June 1: Family FUNday-RubberDucks Comicon
June 13: Bruce Springsteen Fireworks-Salute to Soccer Moms & Mini Vans w/Appearances by Hector Marinaro & Otto Orf & Main Street Festival 5-7pm-Postgame Fellowship Lock-In
June 24: Zombies! Day of the Quacking Dead
June 27: History of Hip Hop Fireworks-Used Car Giveaway/Postgame Scout Sleepover
June 28: Celebrity Saturday-Ohio Lottery 40th Anniversary Celebration featuring Pretenders Fireworks presented by Ohio Lottery-Rock'n Bobble Giveaway featuring Chrissie Hynde
JULY
July 4: Independence Day Celebration featuring Patriotic Fireworks presented by FirstEnergy
July 5: Celebrity Saturday-Black Keys Fireworks sponsored by Pyrotechnico-ZOOperstars! Appearance-Rock'n Bobble Giveaway featuring the Black Keys-RubberDucks to Wear Road Gray Jerseys!
July 18: DMB Fireworks-World's Largest Game of "Duck, Duck, Goose" Record Attempt-Postgame $1,000 Cash Dash-Greater Akron Baseball Hall of Fame Recognition-Main Street Festival 5-7pm
July 19: Celebrity Saturday-Journey Fireworks-25th Anniversary of "Major League" Jake Taylor Bobble Knees Giveaway/Cleveland Indians 1980's style jersey auction
July 29: Tub Survivor-Will You Be the Last Duck on the Pond?
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER
Aug. 9: Celebrity Saturday-Bon Jovi Fireworks presented by Albert Guarnieri & Co-Browns Night-Bernie Kosar Bobblehead Giveaway
Aug. 19: Oops! I Stepped on a Duck Night! Whoopee Cushion Giveaway (First 500 Fans)
Aug. 28: Thirsty Thursday-"Honey I Shrunk the Kids" 25 Year Anniversary & Mini Night -featuring Postgame Midget Wrestling & Pre-game 1K Mini Beer Run
Aug. 29: Elton John Fireworks presented by Akron Children's Hospital-Akron Children's Hospital Oncology Hematology Awareness Event - Main Street Festival 5-7pm
Aug. 30: Celebrity Saturday-The Who Fireworks presented by Pyrotechnico-Kids Backpack Giveaway presented by VisitPITTSBURGH (First 1000 Kids, 12 & under)
The Akron RubberDucks are the Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. The 2014 season will be its 18th since moving to Canal Park and its first since becoming the RubberDucks. The team begins its season on April 3 at Binghamton and the home opener at Canal Park is scheduled for Thursday, April 10 at 6:35 p.m. against the Bowie Baysox. For more information and merchandise 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.
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