Rivermen Add Joan Jett, WWE Superstars to Promotional Calendar; Announce Entire 2003-2004 Promotiona
Published on October 1, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release
Peoria, Ill. (October 1, 2003) â General Manager Bart Rogers of the Peoria Rivermen of the ECHL announced today that the team has added a post-game concert with Joan Jett & The Blackhearts and appearances by the WWE's Ric Flair and Stacy Keibler to its 2003-2004 promotional calendar. The team has also released the entire promotional schedule for the season.
Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, who have been recording and making music together for more than 22 years, will entertain the crowd with a post-game concert following the Rivermen game on Friday, January 30 against the Cincinnati Cyclones. There is a $5 up charge on all tickets for all post-game concert nights. Media sponsors include: Insight Communications, Fox Sports Radio 1290 AM, WGLO 95.5 FM (Peoria's Classic Rock), WIXO 99.9 FM (99X Rocks!), and WPPY 98.5 FM & WRVP 101.1 FM (The Party).
Rogers said Joan Jett is a name with which many music lovers can associate.
"She's a rocker," Rogers said. "She's recognizable with a lot of different age groups, and she still knows how to put on a fantastic show for the fans. We continue to try to make it happen for the Central Illinois community."
Along with the Eddie Money/Survivor concert on Saturday, November 8, the Rivermen are looking into possibly hosting another post-game concert on Saturday, March 6.
WWE Diva Stacy Keibler and WWE Legend Ric Flair will also make appearances at Rivermen games this season. Keibler will appear at Carver Arena on Friday, October 24 in the first of two games against the Wheeling Nailers. Flair will appear at Carver Arena on Thursday, January 15, 2004, as the Rivermen face off against the Dayton Bombers. Game times are 7:00 p.m.
Keibler and Flair will both sign autographs from 6-8:00 p.m. on those nights. Autographs are $5 each, which includes an 8x10 photograph.
On Tuesday, February 24 and Tuesday, March 9, the Rivermen are planning on hosting other WWE Superstars or bringing in NASCAR drivers.
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The Rivermen will open their season and promotional schedule on Saturday, October 18 against the archrival Toledo Storm by giving away 5,000 Rivermen Magnet Schedules, courtesy of Stanley Steemer. And if 9,600 or more fans make their way into Carver Arena for the home opener, the team, in association with Velde Ford of Pekin, will give away a new Ford ZX2. Fans can sign up to win the new car at the Rivermen office.
The following Friday, October 24, it will be the first of 10 Cherry Coke/Vanilla Coke Finally Fridays. The cans will be available at Peoria area Kroger stores along with Rivermen end cap promotional displays. The Rivermen promotion cans will be sold in 12 packs only and will be in Kroger stores on October 6.
Other Cherry Coke/Vanilla Coke Finally Fridays include: November 28 (Cutting Edge Salon â "Free Haircuts for Charity" with donations to Children's Hospital of Illinois-CHOI), December 12, January 2, January 16, February 13, February 20, February 27, March 5 and March 26.
On Saturday, October 25, local country favorite Wade Dooley will perform in an, in-arena, pre-game concert.
On five different nights throughout the season â Friday, October 24; Saturday, October 25; Wednesday, January 21 (2004 Par-A-Dice ECHL All-Star Game); Friday, February 27; and Saturday, February 28 â Claude Scott, "The Happy Trumpeter," will entertain Rivermen fans with his zany, in-crowd shenanigans.
The Rivermen will host two Church Nights during the season with special post-game concerts. On Friday, November 7, Audio Adrenaline will take the stage following the Rivermen game against Reading. On Friday, March 5, a post-game Christian concert has yet to be determined.
Five specialty jerseys will be worn and auctioned off throughout the 2003-2004 campaign. The first will take place on Boy Scout Night on Saturday, November 15. The Rivermen will wear special Boy Scout-themed jerseys, which will be auctioned off to benefit the W.D. Boyce Council â the Peoria area Boy Scouts of America.
The other Boy Scout Night will be held on Friday, March 26.
On Friday, December 12, when the team hosts the Johnstown Chiefs, the Rivermen will wear special Christmas jerseys. It is also U.S. Marine Corps "Toys for Tots" Night, on which fans are encouraged to bring a new toy for this holiday charitable campaign. On Saturday, February 14, the team will dress in special Valentine's Day jerseys, which will be auctioned off to benefit CHOI. The Annual Bremer Jewelry "Wedding on Ice" will also take place that night.
During the final weekend of the season, the Rivermen will wear specialty jerseys twice. On Friday, March 26, the team will don 50's jerseys with a post-game auction to follow, and on Sunday, March 28, they will wear the Gold Third jerseys, which will be auctioned off as well.
On Thanksgiving Day, the Rivermen will offer half-price Upper Bowl tickets and encourage fans to bring coats to the game for the Salvation Army "Coats for Kids" campaign.
Journal Star/Insight Media Family Days return for seven dates during 2003-2004, six Sundays and Wednesday, December 31 â New Year's Eve. Upper Bowl tickets are $2 for Kids 12 and under.
On Sunday, December 7, Dora the Explorer will appear courtesy of Nickelodeon. On Sunday, January 4, Jimmy Neutron will appear courtesy of Nickelodeon. On Sunday, February 1, Chuckie from Rugrats will appear courtesy of Nickelodeon.
On Sunday, February 22, Sponge Bob Squarepants will appear, and on Sunday, March 7, Scooby Doo and Shaggy will appear courtesy of the Cartoon Network.
On Saturday, November 22, the Spider Man will appear courtesy of Marvel Comics. On Saturday, December 13, Hulk will appear courtesy of Marvel Comics.
The Rivermen are offering three giveaway nights â January 17, 2003 (Trevor Baker Bobblehead Night), Saturday, January 31 (OSF St. Francis Medical Center Giveaway) and Saturday, February 28 (Caterpillar Night with Giveaway Item).
On the final weekend of the season, the team will host the annual Ashley Furniture/UFS/Ralph Rashid Fan Appreciation Night with giveaways from various Rivermen corporate partners.
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