DAVENPORT, Iowa – After two straight record-setting seasons for attendance at Modern Woodmen Park, the Quad Cities River Bandits are planning a loaded promotional schedule in 2016. With a mix of brand new giveaways, 16 fireworks shows, special appearances, a Star Wars jersey auction, great daily specials, and community events, the 2016 season promises to be the most memorable yet in celebration of Modern Woodmen Park’s 85th anniversary.
The season kicks off with a Mediacom magnet schedule and pennant giveaway for the home opener on Saturday, April 9, at 1:15 p.m. to jump-start the huge giveaways planned throughout 2016. The giveaways include eight bobblehead dolls throughout the year and a replica Carlos Correa jersey to all fans at the game on Saturday, July 9, in honor of the 2015 American League Rookie of the Year.
“The Quad Cities community continues to give the River Bandits unprecedented support and that inspires us to come up with bigger and better ways to make sure our fans get the entertainment value they deserve,” said River Bandits owner Dave Heller. “With huge giveaways, new special appearances, memorable theme nights, fun rides and attractions and great deals, the River Bandits offer fun and affordable entertainment for the whole family at Modern Woodmen Park.”
Of the 70 home games for the River Bandits in 2016, 59 of them have a promotion on top of the great daily special already included. Gates open one hour before first pitch, so fans should be sure to get to the park early all season to take advantage of the voluminous giveaways, prizes and specials at Modern Woodmen Park. Below are the highlights from the promotional schedule announced Monday:
Bobblehead Bandits: 2016 will see eight different bobblehead dolls distributed to fans throughout the season. The first bobblehead of the season features current St. Louis Cardinal, and 2011 River Bandit, Carlos Martinez on Saturday, May 28, presented by Mediacom. In June, a pair of current Major Leaguers are immortalized: Lance McCullers, current Astro and 2013 Bandit, on Saturday, June 4, courtesy of Red Hot Chicago and Stephen Piscotty, a 2012 River Bandit and current St. Louis Cardinal, on Saturday, June 18, presented by Hy-Vee and Nabisco. Modern Woodmen presents three half-price nights, all including River Bandits’ mascot ‘Rascal’ bobbleheads, on Tuesday, June 14, Thursday, July 7, and Monday, August 8. On Friday, July 29, fans will receive a patriotic bobble tractor for Agricultural Night, courtesy of the Illinois Farm Bureau. Last but not least, on Saturday, August 6, fans will get their very own Joe Maddon bobblehead, presented by Ruhl & Ruhl. The current Chicago Cubs manager was a member of the 1976 Quad Cities Angels.
The Force is Strong with the Quad Cities: In honor of the new Star Wars film, the River Bandits will wear special R2D2 jerseys as part of Star Wars Night on Friday, June 17. During the game, fans will have the chance to bid on the game-worn jerseys with a silent auction. Then, before the fireworks show, a few select jerseys will be available in a dugout-top live auction.
16 Fireworks Shows in 2016: All Friday home games are Smart Toyota of Quad Cities Fireworks nights. There are eleven Friday home games plus special fireworks for Ladies Night (Thursday, May 19), Pro Wrestling Night (Thursday, June 9) and I-Smile Night (Thursday, June 30). There is no home game during the annual Red, White & Boom fireworks on Sunday, July 3, but the ballpark will be open with free admission. The River Bandits return home Monday, July 4, with Independence Day fireworks after the game, presented by Toyota of Quad Cities.
Great Giveaways for All: Throughout the season, all fans will get great River Bandits prizes. Fans will have a second chance to get magnetic schedules on Sunday, April 10, courtesy of Mediacom. The giveaways continue with Correa ‘Rookie-of-the-Year’ photos (Saturday, April 16), Big River Bowling ticket giveaway (Thursday, April 28) and a sunglasses giveaway (Saturday, April 30). Fans can get great Houston Astros-related prizes during the Astros ‘Fantacular’ Giveaway on Sunday, July 10. Free pint glasses, presented by Milan Medical Group, will be given out on Wednesday, July 27, as part of the Beers Around the World Tour, presented by 7G Distributing. The very next day (Thursday, July 28), fans will have a chance to win a car in the Reynolds Ford Used Car Giveaway. On Saturday, August 20, fans will get a memento to commemorate the 85th anniversary of Modern Woodmen Park with a ballpark replica giveaway, courtesy of EGS. Some other great giveaways for the 2016 season include Olympic Rascal gnomes (Saturday, July 23), River Bandits notebooks (Tuesday, August 9), beer steins (Saturday, August 27) and folders (Sunday, August 28).
Nine is Fine for Mega Giveaways: Five games over the last five months of the season fans will have a chance to win big-value prizes with Mega Giveaway days. For each of the games, nine fans - one per inning - will win the prize of the day. Celebrate Ladies Night on Thursday, May 19, with the Mega Jewelry giveaway; nine jewelry gift cards will be given out throughout the game. On Sunday, May 29, nine fans will win Fitbits during the Mega Fitbit Giveaway. Nine mini fridges will be up for grabs with the Mega Mini Fridge Giveaway Sunday, June 19, presented by Budweiser and 7G Distributing. Video Game Night on Saturday, July 9, brings nine chances to win an Xbox with the Mega Xbox Giveaway, presented by Video Games Etc!, and Thursday, September 1, is the Mega Tablet Giveaway, with nine tablets for fans to win throughout the game, courtesy of Video Games Etc!
Amazing Appearances and Honors: The River Bandits will welcome special guests to Modern Woodmen Park for select games throughout the 2016 season. The Snow Queen and Ice Princess will be in the ballpark for Frozen Princess Day on Sunday, April 10. The River Bandits will fight evil with Superhero Day on Sunday, May 1, with an All-American Superhero appearance. Special guest Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat will be at Modern Woodmen Park to celebrate Pro Wrestling Night on Thursday, June 9, with a special fireworks show following the game. The Fur Circus is back to take over the ballpark on Thursday, June 16, to entertain the entire family and the superheroes have a sequel on Sunday, August 7, when they return to the Quad Cities for Superhero Day. Speaking of heroes, weekly specials for Military members are back with Military Tuesdays; active and retired military personnel with valid ID will get $1 bleacher tickets for themselves and their families. The salute to service continues on Friday, May 27, with Military Appreciation Night and Monday, May 30 will celebrate Memorial Day with a special 5:15 p.m. start time and free admission for all active military, reservists, guardsmen and veterans.
Community Causes: The River Bandits won Ballpark Digest’s inaugural ‘Best Charity Event/Campaign’ award in 2015, and the new year brings more opportunities to give back to the Quad Cities. The community events hit the ground running with the annual ‘Race to Home’ 5K and Fun Run, presented by Palmer Chiropractic Clinics, on Saturday, April 23. The River Bandits will be on the road but the ballpark will be open for the annual fundraiser that helps support the Bandit Scholars program. The River Bandits Book Buddies program, which plans to reach over 15,000 Quad Cities elementary school students, brings local kids to the ballpark five times throughout April and May. The program features three special 11:00 a.m. games on Wednesday, April 26, Monday, May 9, and Tuesday, May 17, plus night games on Friday, April 29, and Friday, May 27. The River Bandits support a great cause with Make-A-Wish Night on Friday, July 8, presented by Olympic Steel.
Daily Specials Throughout 2016: Every home game will bring great deals, no matter what day of the week. It all starts with Mega Family Sundays with pregame autographs on the field, a chance for fans to bring their dogs to the ballpark for bark in the park and post-game kids run the bases, presented by prairie farms. Sundays also bring extra fun with Little League Day (April 17), the Mega Candy Drop (June 5) and a Father’s Day special opportunity to play catch in the outfield after the game on June 19. Mondays are Micro Brew Mondays, with all premium beers just $3 every Monday, except July 4. Dew-for-Tuesdays allow fans to bring an old Mountain Dew can and exchange it for a free 16-ounce Mountain Dew. Wacky Wednesdays offer a $10 all-you-can-ride pass for the amusements at Modern Woodmen Park. Thirst-Day Thursdays feature $2 drink specials, Fridays are Smart Toyota of Quad Cities Fireworks Fridays and every Saturday home game is a Fan Appreciation Saturday with giveaways, concourse entertainment and more. There will also be an extra offer for IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union members in 2016: buy-one-get-one-free tickets for every weeknight home game, excluding July 4.
Dream Themes: With special theme nights throughout the summer, fans of all ages and interests will have something to celebrate with the River Bandits this season. Get green with Irish Heritage Night, presented by Bud Light and 7G Distributing, on Saturday, April 16. Start the month of May with Honor Flight Day, presented by R.I.A. Federal Credit Union and Superhero Day on Sunday, May 1. Then it’s the battle of the sexes with Guys Night Out, presented by Budweiser and 7G Distributing, on Wednesday, May 11, and Ladies Night on Thursday, May 19. Things get scary in July with Halloween Night on Sunday, July 10, but the ghouls and goblins are vanquished for Faith and Fellowship Night, presented by Chick-Fil-A and Moody Radio, on Sunday, July 24. The River Bandits celebrate the return of the school year with Back to School Night on Tuesday, August 9, and capture the imagination with Pirates and Princesses Day on Sunday, August 21.
Group Gatherings: Partners, businesses, schools and groups from across the region will have special dates at the ballpark. Among them are the city of Davenport (Thursday, April 14, and Friday, August 26), Total Turf & Landscape (Friday, April 29), Boy Scouts and Mack Orthodontics (Friday, June 3), Quad Cities Builders and Remodelers Association and Epic Stone (Wednesday, June 29
), I-Smile (Thursday, June 30) and John Deere (Friday, July 22 through Sunday, July 24).“This promotional schedule was built from our fans' feedback, and we are excited for all that is in store for the Quad Cities this season,” said River Bandits General Manager Andrew Chesser. “From our classic highlights – fireworks, giveaways, jersey auctions, ticket and concession deals – to our many new promotions, everyone can find a reason to enjoy the entertainment and make lifelong memories at Modern Woodmen Park this season.”
For a complete 2016 promotional schedule, visit www.riverbandits.com. All promotions are subject to change and based on availability. Ticket packages – which include free parking, merchandise discounts and guaranteed giveaways – are available by calling (563) 324-3000.
ABOUT THE BANDITS: The 2016 season marks the River Bandits’ fourth year as the Astros’ Class-A affiliate and the ninth season since regaining the River Bandits moniker, which was voted a top-8 nickname in all of Minor League Baseball in 2015. Also in 2015, Sports Business Journal named Quad Cities the number one minor league sports market in the country. In recognition for giving back to the Quad Cities community, the River Bandits were the 2015 recipient of the Ballpark Digest Best Charity Event or Campaign in Baseball award. For more information on the Quad Cities River Bandits, visit www.riverbandits.com or contact Jake Levy at (563) 333-2727.
