RubberDucks Release 2016 Promotional Calendar

February 3, 2016 - Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release

(AKRON, OHIO) - This summer, there will be more excitement and fun at Canal Park than just the 2016 Eastern League All-Star Game, as the Akron RubberDucks today announced its 2016 promotional calendar for its 71 regular-season home games. After winning last season's Larry MacPhail Award as Minor League Baseball's top promotional team, the RubberDucks plan on defending its title in 2016 with a creative promotional calendar packed with ties to Northeast Ohio, 21 fireworks shows, premium giveaways every Saturday, and many returning fan favorites.

Northeast Ohio, the RubberDucks, and the EL All-Star Game highlight the premium giveaways, which start on April 14's Opening Night with an All-Star Game schedule poster. The first homestand will also include a RubberDucks soccer scarf on April 16, and the first month wraps up with a Jaret Wright bobblehead on April 30. Other Cleveland sports fan favorites will have bobbleheads featured this season. Since it is an election year, the team is letting fans vote on Aug. 13 when fans can choose between receiving a bobblehead of Browns greats Kevin Mack or Earnest Byner. Then on Sept. 3, the team will honor late Cavaliers legend John "Hot Rod" Williams with a bobblehead and composer John Williams score-themed fireworks. Of course, the RubberDucks will continue its history of a giveaway from the movie "Major League," and will be giving away a Willie Mays Hayes Bobble Legs on June 25. All Saturday premium giveaways are for the first 1,000 fans.

Other RubberDucks and All-Star Game giveaways include a RubberDucks Superhero Shield (May 21), an All-Star Game T-Shirt (June 18), a RubberDucks youth batting practice replica jersey (July 16), and a bobblehead of manager David Wallace (July 30).

However, not all of the fun has local ties. There are also a few bobbleheads and celebrity appearances fans are sure to take notice. The team will be honoring the 20th anniversary of the movie "Happy Gilmore" by issuing a Shooter McGavin bobblehead and welcoming actor Christopher McDonald on May 28, and on Aug. 27 the team will welcome actress Dina Platias who portrayed Miss Lippy from the movie "Billy Madison," and be giving away a Miss Lippy bobblehead.

"The focus of this year's promotional calendar was to continue building on our legacy of affordable, family fun," said RubberDucks general manager Jim Pfander. "We are always looking for ways to be a little out-of-the-box and to bring creative entertainment to Canal Park."

"(Promotions coordinator) Christina Urycki and our team have put together a tremendous 71-game lineup of family fun," said Pfander. "I am excited about the return of the old fan favorite, 'Beat the Yankees' Hanky giveaway (June 25), and I know fans will enjoy our tribute to Cavaliers' great John 'Hot Rod' Williams (Sept. 3) and to rock legend Glenn Frey with The Eagles fireworks show."

The RubberDucks are home for four holidays in 2016. Memorial Day on May 30 and Father's Day on June 19 are both are Sunday Family FUNdays, presented by Akron Children's Hospital. In addition, there will be an Independence Day Celebration on July 4 (5:35 p.m. special start time), presented by FirstEnergy, when the City of Akron's fireworks will be on display following the game, and Labor Day on Sept. 5 is a special 1 p.m. Fan Appreciation Day to wrap up the regular-season home schedule.

"We are really excited about our promotional schedule for the RubberDucks 2016 season. We know fans will be thrilled about favorites such as the RubberDucks Comicon, Princess Tea Party, Cult Movie Classics, $1,000 Cash Dash, and Midget Wrestling," said RubberDucks promotions coordinator Christina Urycki.

A new nightly promotion for 2016 is the "Get Moving Mondays" presented by Cleveland Clinic Akron General. Since it is the year of the 2016 Summer Olympics, each Monday will tie in various Olympic sports as a theme to help promote a healthy, active lifestyle through contests, games, and education. Also added to the list is "Winning Wednesday - BINGO!" when fans will have a chance to play and win prizes throughout the game.

Returning in 2016 is the Tuesday's "Cult Movie Classics," when the nights are themed around beloved classic movies. Among this season's Cult Movie Classics are favorites such as "Napoleon Dynamite," "Fletch," "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," "Beetlejuice," "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory," "Anchorman," and "Dumb and Dumber." Tuesdays are also "Two For Tuesdays" sponsored by Acme Fresh Market, with a buy one, get one reserved ticket deal.

Some of the most popular promotions returning to Canal Park in 2016, the ZOOperstars! on July 30, "Look, my hot dog is GREEN!" $1,000 giveaway (April 15), Big Splash Day (July 27), three "Bark in the Park" games (June 8, July 6, and Aug. 10), back-to-back Education Days (10:35 a.m. starts on May 10 and May 11), post-game midget wrestling (Aug. 25) and post-game $1,000 cash dash (May 27). The always-entertaining Myron Noodleman will be back keeping the park in smiles on June 18.

There is even a chance for fans to win a used car (July 29), and the third annual RubberDucks Comicon, which includes a RubberDucks Superhero Shield giveaway to the first 1,000 fans (May 21).

"This season, we wanted to take things to another level, and I think this year's calendar does that with celebrity appearances, premium giveaways every Saturday, more than 20 fireworks shows, and unique promotional nights," said Urycki. "Nights such as the inaugural Talent-Less Show (June 16) and the Swing State Night (July 15) with special political convention jersey auction are two of my favorite promotions."

However, always the most popular returning promotion is Canal Park's amazing fireworks shows. This season, there are 21 themed fireworks shows, which includes Opening Night, every Friday night, and all Saturdays from June through the end of the season, and on the final regular-season home night game on Sept. 4.

The RubberDucks are also using the promotional schedule as a chance to help the local community. There are reading nights for Summit County (April 18), Stark County (May 2), Medina County (April 20), and Portage County (May 4). The Akron-Summit County Public Library Night is August 9 and This Community Reads Night is June 15, and Teacher Appreciation Night is on June 9.

The Oak Clinic for Multiple Sclerosis is holding a pre-game 1K Fun Run & Awareness night on May 1, and Akron Children's Hospital's Hematology/Oncology Awareness Night on Aug. 26 is an annual fan favorite with its "Home Run for Life" ceremony. In addition, the RubberDucks and local non-profit organizations will team up for the "Charity Begins at Home" program to raise funds and awareness for that particular game's organization. Other organizations participating, in addition to the Oak Clinic, include: Ballet in the City (May 9), the United Way of Summit County (June 26), Walk for Babies (July 25), and the American Cancer Society (July 31).

"There is something every night for fans of all ages," said Pfander. "Kids will love the Sunday Family FUNdays and Get Moving Mondays, while their parents will get a kick out of the 'Cult Movie Classics' and some of the Northeast Ohio promotions and giveaways. And everyone loves fireworks!"

It all kicks off on a fun-filled Opening Night, Thursday, April 14 vs. Bowie Baysox 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 Latin Pop-themed fireworks show and All-Star Game schedule poster schedule giveaway (first 5,000 fans), presented by Summa Health System. In addition, Opening Night is a "Thirsty Thirsty" at Canal Park, sponsored by D.G. Yuengling Brewery, with $1 beer and soft drink specials.

Opening Night will host the first of four Main Street Festivals. The others: on June 17, July 29, and Sept. 2, are scheduled from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

NIGHTLY PROMOTIONS

The following are reoccurring nightly promotions throughout the 2016 season:

- SUNDAY -- "Family FUNday," presented by Akron Children's Hospital

o Fans can come early to play catch on the field and kids run the bases after the game

- MONDAY - presented by Cleveland Clinic Akron General

o "Get Moving 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," presented by Acme Fresh Market

o Features a buy-one-get-one reserved ticket seat deal

o "Cult Movie Classics" featuring themes based on beloved classic movies each Tuesday

- WEDNESDAY

o "Winning Wednesday - BINGO!" Each Wednesday, fans will have the chance to play bingo to win prizes throughout the game.

- THURSDAY - presented by D.G. Yuengling Brewery

o "Thirsty Thursdays," presented by D.G. Yuengling Brewery, featuring $1 draft beer and soft drinks specials

- FRIDAY

o Fun musically-themed fireworks shows all 11 Fridays.

- SATURDAY - presented by Northern Ohio Honda Dealers

o "Giveaway Saturdays" - Every Saturday features a premium giveaway to the first 1,000 fans! Saturdays also include celebrity appearances, mystery p.a. announcers, and fireworks starting in June through September.

o

2016 Akron RubberDucks Promotional Schedule Highlights:

April

April 16 2:05 Giveaway Saturday - Ferris Bueller's 30th Year Off! - Soccer Scarf Giveaway (First 1000 Fans) presented by Repros

April 19 6:35 Two for Tuesday presented by Acme Fresh Market - "Have You Seen My Tots?" Cult Movie Classics - "Napoleon

Dynamite"

April 29 6:35 Fireworks Friday Shaun Dye Apprecia-Sean Night - Famous Shawn Fireworks presented by Pepsi

April 30 2:05 Giveaway Saturday - Run for the Roses - Kentucky Derby Day - Jaret Wright Bobblehead (first 1,000 fans)

presented by Pepsi

MAY

May 4 6:35 Winning Wednesday - BINGO! & "May the Fourth Be With You" Star Wars Night - Portage County Reading Night

May 22 2:05 Family FUNday presented by Akron Children's Hospital - Touch a Truck

May 28 6:35 Giveaway Saturday - Meet Me at the 9th Green - Happy Gilmore Night - Shooter McGavin Bobblehead Giveaway

presented by Cleveland Clinic Akron General (first 1,000 fans) - Appearance by Christopher McDonald

May 29 2:05 Family FUNday presented by Akron Children's Hospital - Dino Day

JUNE

June 2 6:35 Thirsty Thursday presented by D.G. Yuengling Brewery - You Quack Me Up...Again! Comedy Night

June 18 7:05 Giveaway Saturday - "Strike Out Breast Cancer" Susan G Komen Night - Myron Noodleman Appearance -

All-Star Game T-Shirt Giveaway (first 1,000 fans) and P!NK Fireworks presented by Summa Health System

June 24 7:05 Fireworks Friday Salute to the Military - Beat the Yankees Hankee Giveaway (first 1,000 fans) -

Bruce Springsteen Fireworks

June 26 2:05 Family FUNday presented by Akron Children's Hospital - Princess Tea Party - United Way of Summit County

JULY

July 5 7:05 Two for Tuesday presented by Acme Fresh Market - "The Snozzberries Taste Like Snozzberries" Cult Movie Classics

featuring "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory"

July 17 2:05 Family FUNday presented by Akron Children's Hospital - Kid Scientist Day

July 29 7:05 Fireworks Friday We Bleed Scarlet and Gray: OSU Night - Used Car Giveaway - Main St Festival 5-7 pm -

Dave Grohl Fireworks - RubberDucks Wear Gray Road Jerseys

July 31 2:05 Family FUNday presented by Akron Children's Hospital - Happy Birthday Harry Potter! - American Cancer Society

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER

Aug. 12 7:05 Fireworks Friday 50 years of Magic - Famous Mouseketeers Fireworks

Aug. 14 2:05 Family FUNday presented by Akron Children's Hospital - Mascot Birthday Bash

Sept. 2 7:05 Fireworks Friday 90's in 9 - Main St. Festival 5-7 pm - 90's Fireworks

Sept. 4 6:05 Family FUNday presented by Akron Children's Hospital - Junior Space Explorer - Fan Vote Fireworks

A complete 2016 Akron RubberDucks promotional schedule is attached with the release and available on www.akronrubberducks.com.

The Akron RubberDucks are the Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. The 2016 season will be the franchise's 20th since moving to Akron and third since becoming the RubberDucks. Akron will host the Eastern League All-Star Game and festivities July 12-13, and the season opens Thursday, April 7 with the Home Opener at Canal Park on Thursday, April 14 vs. Bowie Baysox at 6:35 p.m.

Fans can secure season tickets, flex plans, or arrange a group outing by contacting the Akron RubberDucks ticketing department at 330-253-5151 or by email at ticketservice@akronrubberducks.com. For more information about the team, please visit the RubberDucks' website, www.akronrubberducks.com, Facebook page www.facebook.com/AkronRubberDucks, Twitter feed @AkronRubberDuck, and Instagram at @akronrubberducks.

Akron RubberDucks Soccer Scarf

Akron RubberDucks Jaret Wright Bobbhehead

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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