AHL Hershey Bears

Bears Announce 2002-03 Promotional Nights

August 23, 2002 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Hershey Bears News Release


HERSHEY – The HERSHEY Bears have announced their line-up of promotional nights for the 2002 – 2003 season. To date, the Bears have 28 promotional nights scheduled for the upcoming season. Many of the Bears most popular promotions such as HERSHEYPARK Fan Appreciation Night, Canteen / Stroehmann Turkey Shoot, Kunzler Ham Shoot, WGAL and BIG 92.7 Teddy Bear Toss, and Fairview Golf Course Golf Ball Giveaway are returning for the 2002 – 2003 season. Some of the new promotions for the upcoming season include: GIANT Center Opening Night FANtastic Celebration, HERSHEY Bears Booster Club Give and Take Night, South York Cinema Movie Ticket Night and Dodge / WGAL Bobblehead Night. There will be surprises galore in store throughout every HERSHEY Bears home game in GIANT Center.

There are also 7 special group nights lined up for the coming season. Groups of 15 or more may purchase discounted tickets. For further group information, contact the HERSHEY Bears Group Sales department at (717) 534–3323.

The following is a list of the 2002 – 2003 promotional nights:

GIANT Center Opening Night FANtastic Celebration (October 19) – The same HERSHEY Bears tradition moves to a new address. 2002-2003 HERSHEY Bears home opener will feature a banner raising ceremony with former Bears and longtime fans. Each fan in attendance will receive a commemorative lanyard with ticket holder courtesy of GIANT Foods. The Bears will also auction off their Jerseys following the game with the proceeds going to charity.

PNC Bank Magnet Schedules (October 20) – Back again for the 2002 – 2003 season, the first 4,000 fans will receive a magnet schedule with all Bears home and road games, as well as the All-star break and Bears ticket information, compliments of PNC Bank. Clear Channel Radio will have the monster truck Gravedigger appear as you enter the GIANT Center.

Labatt Blue Poster Schedule Night (October 26) – The first 4,000 fans in attendance will receive a poster schedule with Bears home and away games, compliments of Labatt Blue.

HERSHEY Foods Trick-or-Treat Night (October 27) – All kids ages 12 and under will receive a Trick-or-Treat bag full of goodies, compliments of HERSHEY Foods. Also kids of all ages are encouraged to dress up in their favorite Halloween costume for the first annual HERSHEY Bears costume contest.

HERSHEYPARK Christmas Candylane Night (November 2) – New for the 2002-2003 season, come out and see your favorite HERSHEY's Product Characters and a ceremonial puck drop to start the game. Also, the first 3,000 fans will receive a strip of ten Christmas Candylane ride tickets, compliments of HERSHEYPARK.

Stoner Graphix HERSHEY Bears Notepad Night (November 9) – Stoner Graphix will give the first 3,500 fans a HERSHEY Bears notepad.

Bricker's Famous French Fries Stadium Cup Night (November 23) – Returning for their fourth consecutive season, the first 3,000 fans in attendance will receive a 32 oz. stadium cup, courtesy of Bricker's Famous French Fries.

Canteen / Stroehmann Turkey Shoot (November 27) – Back as one of the most popular Bears promotions, all fans are invited down onto the ice following the game to try their luck at winning a Thanksgiving turkey. Those fans that at least hit the board will receive a bag of stuffing from Stroehmann Bakeries.

Clear Channel Radio Hockey Guide Night (November 30) – The first 10,000 fans will receive a hockey guide with all the hockey information a fan could want, courtesy of Clear Channel Radio.

Throwback Night and Post Game Jersey Auction (December 1) – The Bears will wear special throwback jerseys from the Calder Cup Champion 1946-1947 season in their game versus the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Following the game, the players will sign their jerseys and auction them off. The proceeds from the auction will be donated to a charity. Also included in throwback night are special concessions prices and other special surprises!

WGAL and BIG 92.7 Teddy Bear Toss Night (December 8) – Back by popular demand, all fans are encouraged to bring a Teddy Bear or other stuffed animal to the game. When the Bears score their first goal of the game, fans are encouraged to toss the Teddy Bears onto the ice in celebration of the goal. All Teddy Bears will then be donated to charity.

Capital Blue Cross Night (December 14) – The first 3,000 fans will receive key chain lite, compliments of Capital Blue Cross.

Dodge Bobblehead Night (December 15) – For the first time ever the HERSHEY Bears will have a player likeness Bobblehead giveaway. The first 10,000 fans receive a Phil Sauve Bobblehead doll.

The BIG Christmas Gift Giveaway (December 21) – Once again, one lucky fan will be guaranteed to win automobile, compliments of BIG 92.7. All fans at GIANT Center will be eligible to win.

Ream Printing Co. Team Photo Night (December 28) – Back as one of the Bears more popular promotions, the first 5,000 fans will receive an 8" x 10" full color photo of the 2002 – 2003 HERSHEY Bears.

South York Plaza Cinema Movie Ticket Night (December 29) – First 10,000 fans receive a movie ticket to a movie of your choice at South York Plaza Cinema.

HERSHEYPARK Fan Appreciation Night (January 8) – Back as the most popular of all Bears promotions, all fans in attendance will receive a one-day pass to beautiful HERSHEYPARK, good through July 4, 2003.

Whiteout Night (January 18) – Back by popular demand for the 2002 – 2003 season, all fans are encouraged to wear white so we can Whiteout the GIANT Center!

Kick off Heart Month with Penn State Cardiovascular Center Night (February 1) – Penn State Cardiovascular Center will be hosting a health fair during the game. The first 3,000 fans will receive a football from Penn State Cardiovascular Center.

Pennsylvania State Lottery Night (February 8) – The first 2,500 adults 18 and older will receive a scratch-and-win lottery ticket, compliments of the Pennsylvania State Lottery.

HERSHEY Bears Booster Club Give-and-Take Night (February 15) – Another new promotion for the 2002 – 2003 season, the first 3,000 fans that bring a food item to donate to the Booster Club food drive will receive a gift from the HERSHEY Bears Booster Club.

PSECU Night (February 22) – New for the 2002 – 2003 season the first 5,000 fans will receive an ice scraper, compliments of PSECU.

Fairview Golf Course Golf Ball Night (March 1) – Once again Fairview will put us all in the mood to golf! The first 3,000 fans in attendance will receive a golf ball with the Bears and Fairview logos, compliments of Fairview Golf Course.

South York Plaza Cinema Movie Ticket Night (March 2) – So nice, they wanted to do it twice! The first 10,000 fans receive a movie ticket to a movie of your choice at South York Plaza Cinema.

Photo Night (March 9) – All fans in attendance are invited down onto the ice following the game to take pictures and get autographs of their favorite Bears players.

HERSHEYPARK Souvenir Night (March 15) – The first 3,000 fans in attendance will receive a limited edition souvenir celebrating the opening of HERSHEYPARK for the 2003 season. Don't forget your favorite HERSHEY's Product Characters will be on hand to greet you!

Kunzler Ham Shoot Night (March 16) – All fans in attendance on March 16th are invited to come down onto the GIANT Center ice following the game and try to win a Kunzler ham. Player Awards Night (April 6) – The Bears players are recognized for their hard work during the course of the regular season. Some of the awards that are presented include team MVP, best defenseman, rookie of the year and top plus/minus award. The Bears will also give their shirts off their backs to some lucky fans in attendance.

In addition to the 28 promotional nights that are scheduled, the Bears have slated 7 special group nights for the coming season. Remember groups of 15 or more may purchase discount tickets to any game (excluding October 19th and January 8th). Further information on group sales can be obtained by calling the HERSHEY Bears Group Sales department at (717) 534 – 3323. Here is a listing of the group nights for the 2002 – 2003 season:

WJTL Church Night (November 24)
Scout Night (December 1)
School Night (December 29)
Scout Night (January 12)
WJTL Church Night (February 16)
Scout Night (March 9)
WJTL Church Night (March 23)

The Bears open their regular season at home on October 19th when they face-off against the Rochester Americans at 7:00 PM. Tickets for all HERSHEY Bears home games may be purchased by calling the HERSHEYPARK Arena Box Office at (717) 534 – 3911. Individual game tickets go on sale to the general public September 9th. Season ticket plans from 10 game packs to full seasons are still available. Call (717) 520-5796 for more information.

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American Hockey League Stories from August 23, 2002


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