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OHL Erie Otters

Second-Annual Erie Otters Home Opener Fan Fest Announced

August 23, 2023 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Erie Otters News Release


Erie, Pennsylvania - The all-day party returns to the Erie Insurance Arena for the second-annual Erie Otters Home Opener Fan Fest.

After a rousing success in its inaugural opening of the 2022-23 season, the Fan Fest makes a triumphant return to the promenade of the EIA on Saturday, September 30 at 3:00 P.M., with doors opening to Home Opener 2023 (pres. by Erie County Community College of Pennsylvania) at 6:00 P.M.

The second edition of the free-to-attend Home Opener Fan Fest - voted Top Moment of the 2022-23 season by Otters fans - will feature staples that made year one such a memorable affair. Fans of all-ages will be able to enjoy live music, a vendor fair, local food trucks, various yard games, kid-focused entertainment (face painters, balloon artists), and the highly-coveted Red Carpet player entrance. Attendees 21+ will also be able to enjoy an array of adult beverage options while partaking in the festival's fun.

A new crop of locally-raised country musicians will provide the soundtrack for the Saturday night of fun. Taking center stage will be Erie's own Brenna Bone ("Outlaw Angels", "Want It Like That", "I Don't Deserve You"), hitmaking songwriter Styles Haury ("Whatever Happened To Her", "Overthinkin'", "No Beer Limit"), and the pride of Geneva, Ohio Amy Varckette ("The Legends").

BRENNA BONE

Born-and-raised in Erie, PA, Brenna Bone proudly carries the flag for the Flagship City in Nashville. A graduate of McDowell High School, Bone cut her teeth in music the grassroots way - gigging on a nightly basis. Her talent and drive paid off, earning her a hometown following and local accolades. In 2015, the Rock Erie Music Awards awarded Bone with three distinct awards - Best Country Artist, Best New Artist, and Single of the Year.

Making the jump to Music City USA in 2017, Bone has kept plenty busy. From performing at honky tonks on Broadway, to garnering a fan following known as "The Bone Zone", and performing the national anthem for Nashville's NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race in June 2021. This year, Bone has embarked on shows all around the Midwest and South.

While homecomings have been rare for the touring singer-songwriter, they've come with great acclaim. In her latest hometown show, Bone was the opening act for multi-platinum selling country music star Jimmie Allen on the last day of Celebrate Erie 2022. What better way to celebrate the homecoming for the Erie Otters new season than to welcome home one of Erie's favorite torchbearers.

"I'm beyond excited to be invited to play this huge event for the Otters! I'm forever thankful to my hometown of Erie, PA for all the support over the years and I can't wait to see familiar faces in the crowd." said Bone, "It's a different kind of feeling to have the opportunity to play in front of people who mean so much to me. There's nothing better than a homecoming show!"

STYLES HAURY

A quickly rising name-to-know in Nashville, Styles Haury wasn't always a son of the south. Originally born in Medina County, Ohio, Haury split his childhood between the Buckeye State and the Tar Heel State of North Carolina. While his first band was formed in the fourth grade, it was in the small town of Richlands, NC where Haury learned how to play the guitar, and the rest they say is history.

Returning to Ohio to finish high school, Haury would form the eponymously named "The Styles Haury Band" that would garner the artist praise and opportunity. When a chance to work alongside Emmy Award-winning music producer Kenny Royster in Nashville arose in 2018, Haury took the leap of faith with help from his father. The jump proved to be a worthwhile investment, as the singer-songwriter has had the opportunity to collaborate with legendary names in country music such as Jon Pardi, Craig Morgan, and co-writing Luke Bryan's smash-hit single Country On.

Outside of writing credits, Styles Haury is making a name for himself for his intimate yet infectious energy on stage. In early 2022, the Ohio-native opened for Dylan Scott in Conneaut (OH) - just down the road from Erie. Haury has opened for major names in country music including Dwight Yoakam, Jake Owen, Brett Eldredge, Chris Janson, Uncle Kracker, and Tyler Farr. This Summer has seen Haury embark on the God's Grocery Store Tour, which opened in Utah in August. For the first time in the career of the Warner Chappell Music Nashville signed-artist, he will perform in the Flagship City - giving Otters fans a chance to see one of the stars of tomorrow in their own backyard.

"Hey Erie, it's Styles! Maybe you know me, maybe you don't, but I'm a singer-songwriter in Nashville and ready to bring some music right to your backyard. I'm looking forward to kicking off the home opener of the Otters with you. If you like songs about life, family, God, and the great outdoors, I think we'll get along just fine!" said Haury, "Looking forward to hanging out on September 30 - see y'all there! COUNTRY ON!"

AMY VARCKETTE

Introducing Amy Varckette! No stranger to the North Coast, Varckette hails from neighboring Ashtabula County, Ohio and is a 2021 graduate of Slippery Rock University. Early recordings show a young Varckette performing over a decade ago at the 2012 Ashtabula County Fair (while holding the honor of Fair Princess). Over a decade later, with nearly 30 live performances between northeast Ohio and western New York this year alone, Varckette has been no stranger to entertaining a crowd. Earlier this Summer, Varckette performed a two-hour set at the historic Wine & Walleye Festival in downtown Ashtabula.

The locally-grown artist will bring her brand of acoustic country to downtown Erie for the first time ever at the Home Opener Fan Fest.

"I'm beyond excited to be part of this event. Growing up in northeast Ohio, I'm very excited that so many of my family and friends - along with thousands of other people - will get to witness me enjoy this amazing opportunity in Erie, which is so close to home. Music has always been a huge part of my life, so getting to be on stage before the game with two Nashville recording artists feels like a dream come true." said Varckette, "I know the day of the game will be one of the best of my life, and I hope to help add to the excitement of the festivities of the home opener. Go Otters!"

The Erie Otters are once again thrilled to welcome an all-new generation of country music stardom to the stage for the Fan Fest, and know fans will be delighted and entertained.

The doors to the EIA will open for all at 6:00 P.M., with the first 2500 fans in attendance receiving a free gold Erie Otters tee shirt courtesy of the night's presenting sponsor, Erie County Community College of Pennsylvania. Before the puck drops against Mississauga, Amy Varckette will perform O Canada, and Brenna Bone will perform the Star-Spangled Banner. Bone last performed the anthem at an Otters game in November 2018.

Home Opener 2023 (pres. by EC3) promises to be one of the biggest games of the season. Don't delay to purchase tickets, as they will go fast - the only way to secure your seat right now is with 2023-24 Otters season tickets. For more information or to purchase yours, click here.

The Erie Otters are ecstatic to welcome all fans to the front lawn of the Erie Insurance Arena for the final block party of the Summer, and to officially kickoff the new season of hockey.

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