RubberDucks Release Full 2018 Promotional Calendar
February 27, 2018 - Eastern League (EL1)
Akron RubberDucks News Release
(AKRON, OHIO) - The Akron RubberDucks have made Canal Park Northeast Ohio's epicenter of Affordable Family Fun because of its unmatched, annual, jam-packed promotional calendar. The 2018 promotional calendar, released today by the club, is sure to reinforce this reputation with a creative slate packed with 12 premium giveaways, 23 fireworks shows, seven bobbleheads, guest appearances, and many returning fan favorites.
Throughout last week, fans were given a sneak peek at the promotional calendar over the RubberDucks' social media feeds, with the bobblehead giveaways creating the most buzz. The first one thousand fans receive a bobblehead on seven of the Giveaway Saturdays and include two of Canal Park's celebrity appearances. The first of which is when Cleveland Cavaliers legend Mark Price visits on July 21 (bobblehead presented by Summa Health) and the second on Aug. 25 when Sam Lloyd, who played lawyer Ted Buckland on the television show "Scrubs," comes to Canal Park, bobblehead presented by Cleveland Clinic Akron General.
The other scheduled bobbleheads include: May 26 - "The Naked Gun 2 1/2 villain Quentin Hapsburg (who was played by actor Robert Goulet), presented by SeibertKeck Insurance Agency; June 30 - Clu Haywood, from "Major League"; July 14 - Frozen Flagpole Bobble Tongue on Christmas Classics night, presented by Distillata; Aug. 11 - former Cleveland Browns wide receiver Webster Slaughter, presented by Serra Auto Park. Additionally, a pop-culture related bobblehead, presented by Summa Health, will be given out on June 2, with the subject to be announced.
"This season, we wanted to stay true to going the extra mile, and I think this year's calendar does that with celebrity appearances, premium giveaways every Saturday, 23 fireworks shows, and unique promotional nights," said Promotions Coordinator Sara Varela. "Nights such as the inaugural Social Media Nights (May 1, June 1, July 1, Aug. 1) and the return of 'Major League' Night (June 30) with a Canton-Akron themed jersey auction and bobblehead giveaway are two promotions I'm excited to see come to life."
The list doesn't stop at bobbleheads with five more premium giveaways: Opening Night, April 13, the first 5,000 fans receive a magnet schedule from Cleveland.com; April 14 -Pajama Party with pillowcase giveaway (first 1,000 fans); April 28 - Heroes Assemble! Superhero Day with superhero cape giveaway (first 1,000 fans, presented by FirstEnergy); May 12 - Take a Redneck Home With You in the form of a bowling pin giveaway (first 1,000 fans); and June 23 - Kids gray road jersey giveaway from VisitPITTSBURGH to the first 1,000 kids ages 12 and under.
"I'm looking forward to the Frozen Flagpole Bobble Tongue (July 14) and Ted Buckland's (Sam Lloyd) appearance from Scrubs (August 25)," said RubberDucks General Manager Jim Pfander. "Plus, the return of fan favorites like 'Look, My Hot Dog is GREEN!' (April 27) and the $1,000 Cash Dash (July 13), where it truly pays to be RubberDucks fans!"
The RubberDucks have become known for outstanding, musically-themed fireworks shows. Knowing that nothing brings fans of Northeast Ohio out to the ballpark like fireworks, the team expanded its list to 23 fireworks shows in 2018, including every Friday and now every Saturday starting in May, where in past seasons Saturday fireworks started in June. Planned shows include Electronic Dance Music (EDM) on May 25, YouTube's Most Watched Music Videos on June 1, Rush on July 20, and the team is honoring the late Tom Petty on Aug. 30's Fan Appreciation Day.
The RubberDucks have become known for outstanding, musically-themed fireworks shows. Knowing that nothing brings fans of Northeast Ohio out to the ballpark like fireworks, the team expanded its list to 23 fireworks shows in 2018, including every Friday and now every Saturday starting in May, where in past seasons Saturday fireworks started in June. Planned shows include Electronic Dance Music (EDM) on May 25, YouTube's Most Watched Music Videos on June 1, Rush on July 20, and the team is honoring the late Tom Petty on Aug. 30's Fan Appreciation Day.
There are 11 Fireworks Fridays, nine shows on Giveaway Saturdays, a Thursday show on the Aug. 30 Fan Appreciation Day, and two holiday-tied shows-Sun., May 27 during Memorial Weekend and Tues., July 3 for the Kickoff to Independence Day.
"There is something every night for fans of all ages," said Pfander. "Kids will love Akron Children's Hospital Sunday Family FUNdays and the whole family will love extra fireworks (23 nights) as we will be shooting every Saturday from May through the end of the season (in addition to every Friday night)!"
It all kicks off on a fun-filled Opening Night, Friday, April 13 vs. Trenton Thunder at 6:35 p.m. Fans will also be treated to Gloria Estefan-themed fireworks show (presented by DriveIT) and 2018 magnet schedule giveaway (first 5,000 fans), presented by Cleveland.com. In addition, Opening Night is a "Thirsty Thirsty" at Canal Park, sponsored by D.G. Yuengling Brewery, with $1 beer and soft drink specials.
The fun starts on Opening Night, from 4-6 p.m. during the first of four Main Street Festivals, presented by T-Mobile. The others run from 5-7 p.m. on June 22, July 20 and Aug. 10.
The RubberDucks will be home for a few holidays in 2018. Mother's Day (May 13) is Moms Genes & Jeans day. The team will be home for Memorial Day Weekend (May 25-28) with fireworks slated for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Then on July 3, the Kickoff to Independence Day celebration with special Tuesday night fireworks show, presented by FirstEnergy, will be the perfect lead-in to the Canal Park special event Fourth on the Field on July 4.
This will also be a big season for replica jersey auctions, a great chance for fans to get a game-worn jersey and meet a possible Cleveland Indian. These include: blue replica Cleveland Force jerseys will be work on June 22's Soccer & Star Wars - Return of the Force Night; Canton-Akron Indians replicas on June 30's "Major League" Night; Aug. 10 will be retro look with 1970's fauxback jerseys on Fauxback Friday; Aug. 24 is the annual patient-designed jersey for the Showers Family Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders Annual Celebration Event with the Akron Children's Hospital; and lastly on Aug. 25, the players will auction the authentic cream-colored jerseys from the first RubberDucks' season in 2014.
The RubberDucks are also using the promotional schedule as a chance to help the local community. One highlight is following the June 3 game, the Akron Police Department will face the Akron Fire Department in a charity softball game. Other games with community ties include Teacher Appreciation Night (June 14) presented by Farmers Insurance and Ronald Hyre Agency, Military Appreciation Night (June 29), Faith and Family Night (July 2), Akron-Summit County Public Library Night (Aug. 8), Seniors Appreciation (Aug. 12), and Crohn's and Colitis Foundation Night (Aug. 28).
Some games on the calendar has the RubberDucks partnering with local non-profit organizations for its "Charity Begins at Home" program to raise funds and awareness. This year includes MS Awareness Day presented by the Oak Clinic for Multiple Sclerosis Awareness (April 29), Movers for Moms benefitting the Battered Women's Shelter of Summit & Medina Counties presented by Two Men and a Truck (April 30), Dragon Dream Team (May 27), Hunter's Helping Hands (May 28), Optimist Club of Akron (June 3), Alzheimer's Association of Greater East Ohio (July 1), Aunt Susie's Cancer Wellness Center of Akron (July 23), Movers for Mutts benefitting One of a Kind Pets presented by Two Men and a Truck (Aug. 22), and Christian Children's House of Ohio (Aug. 27).
NIGHTLY PROMOTIONS
The following are reoccurring nightly promotions throughout the 2018 season:
SUNDAY - presented by Akron Children's Hospital and KIDJAM! Radio, powered by The Summit
"Family FUNday," presented by Akron Children's Hospital
Fans can have a pre-game catch on the field and post-game Kids Run the Bases, presented by Safelite Auto Glass
MONDAY - presented by 94.9 WQMX
"Charity Begins at Home" - The RubberDucks and a local non-profit organization team up to raise funds and awareness with a different organization.
TUESDAY - presented by Acme Fresh Market and 1590 WAKR
"Two for Tuesdays," presented by Acme Fresh Market. Fans who show their Acme Fresh Market Savings Card at the box office receive a buy one, get one reserved seat ticket offer.
WEDNESDAY - presented by Summa Health and 640 WHLO
"Wellness Wednesday," presented by Summa Health. Each Wednesday home game will be filled with fun ways to get active and stay healthy.
THURSDAY - presented by ESPN Cleveland
"Thirsty Thursdays," presented by D.G. Yuengling Brewery, featuring $1 draft beer and soft drinks specials
FRIDAY - presented by Akron Beacon Journal and 98.1 KDD
"Electric Blue Fridays" presented by FirstEnergy. Each non-jersey auction Friday game, the RubberDucks will wear their "electric blue" jerseys.
"Fireworks Friday" Enjoy fun, musically-themed fireworks shows all 11 home Friday games.
SATURDAY - presented by your Northern Ohio Honda Dealers and 97.5 WONE
"Giveaway Saturdays" - Every Saturday features a premium giveaway to the first 1,000 fans! Saturdays also include celebrity appearances and post-game fireworks starting in May through September.
2018 Akron RubberDucks Promotional Calendar Highlights:
April
April 13 6:35 Opening Night & Magnet Schedule Giveaway (first 5,000 fans) presented by Cleveland.com - Main St. Festival (4-
6pm) presented by T-Mobile - Gloria Estefan Fireworks presented by DriveIT
April 27 6:35 Look, My Hot Dog is GREEN! ($1,000 Giveaway) - The Police Fireworks
April 28 2:05 Heroes Assemble! Superhero Day - Superhero Cape Giveaway (first 1,000 fans) presented by FirstEnergy
April 30 6:35 Avocado Toast Appreciation Night - Movers for Moms benefiting the Battered Women's Shelter of Summit &
Medina Counties presented by Two Men and a Truck
May
May 1 6:35 Social Media Night #1 - #QuAkron #APSBandNight
May 12 6:35 RubberDucks 5k & Steve Winwood Fireworks presented by FedEx Custom Critical - Take a Redneck Home With
You - Bowling Pin Giveaway (first 1,000 fans)
May 13 2:05 Mom Genes & Jeans - Mother's Day
May 26 6:35 Hapsburg Lives! The Naked Gun 2 1/2 Night - Quentin Hapsburg Bobblehead (first 1,000 fans) presented by
SeibertKeck Insurance Agency - Lenny Kravitz Fireworks
June
June 3 2:05 Celebration of CLUE - Mystery at Canal Park - Optimist Club of Akron (CBAH) - Post-game APD vs. AFD
Charity Softball Game
June 22 7:05 Soccer & Star Wars - Return of the Force Night - Cleveland Force Replica Jersey - Main St. Festival (5-7pm)
presented by T-Mobile - Star Wars Fireworks presented by Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations and Firestone
June 24 2:05 Royal Tea Party - Princes & Princesses Day
June 30 7:05 Get A Clu About Major League! Night- Clu Haywood Bobblehead (first 1,000) Canton-Akron Indians Replica
Jersey - ZOOperstars! perform - Dire Straits Fireworks
July
July 14 7:05 "I Triple Dog Dare You!" Christmas in July - Frozen Flagpole Bobble Tongue (first 1,000 fans) presented by
Distillata - Christmas Classics Fireworks
July 20 7:05 Used Car Giveaway - Main St. Festival (5-7pm) presented by T-Mobile - Rush Fireworks
July 21 7:05 The Price Is Right! - Mark Price Bobblehead (first 1,000 fans) and Counting Crows Fireworks presented by
Summa Health - Mark Price Appearance!
July 22 2:05 RubberDucks Comicon
August
Aug. 8 7:05 Turn Back The Clock - Aeros Night - Put on your Purple! ASCPL Reading Night
Aug. 10 7:05 Fauxback Friday - 70's Night - Fauxback Jersey - Main St. Festival (5-7pm) presented by T-Mobile - Allman
Brothers Fireworks
Aug. 11 7:05 Cleveland Football Night - Webster Slaughter Bobblehead (first 1,000 fans) presented by Serra Auto Park -
Matchbox 20 Fireworks
Aug. 25 7:05 Scrubs Night! Ted Buckland Bobblehead (first 1,000 fans presented by Cleveland Clinic Akron General - Sam
Lloyd Appearance! - Saturday (Cream) Jersey Auction - Phil Collins Fireworks presented by Ohio Savings Bank
A complete 2018 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 2018 season, powered by FirstEnergy, will be the franchise's 22nd since moving to Akron. The Home Opener is on Friday, April 13, at 6:35 p.m. vs. Trenton Thunder, while the regular season begins April 5 at 6 p.m. at the Altoona Curve. For more information about the team, please visit the RubberDucks' website, www.akronrubberducks.com, Facebook www.facebook.com/AkronRubberDucks, Twitter feed @AkronRubberDuck, and Instagram at @akronrubberducks.
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.
Eastern League Stories from February 27, 2018
- Curve Announce 2018 Promotional Schedule - Altoona Curve
- RubberDucks Release Full 2018 Promotional Calendar - Akron RubberDucks
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.
