Bobbleheads, Special Jerseys, Giveaways Galore and More in All-Star Season
The Salem Red Sox have assembled a robust promotional schedule in their All-Star hosting season of 2017, with bobbleheads aplenty, stylish special jerseys to celebrate the season, fantastic fireworks displays, and several great giveaways to take home and enjoy.
Fans of the Salem Sox can look forward to the most action-packed schedule of events in team history, with a whopping six bobbleheads, five jersey-style T-shirts to pay tribute to the history of baseball in the Salem-Roanoke area, a beer stein to quaff some tasty beverages, and more.
“We’re going all out this season!” Salem president and general manager Ryan Shelton said. “It’s our 50th season in the Carolina League, and so we want this year to be our best for the fans who have made this long run possible.”
To celebrate the 50th year of Carolina League baseball in Salem, the Red Sox will wear special gold-trimmed jerseys at every Sunday home game, as well as on Opening Night. Salem jerseys will also feature a special 50th-anniversary logo throughout the entire season.
Throughout the season, all Friday night home games are Freedom Fridays, presented by Freedom First Credit Union, with tons of great themes and giveaways all year long. And every Friday night home game features fireworks, presented by ClearChannel Radio!
All fireworks shows are sponsored by ClearChannel Radio, and all giveaways are for the first 1,000 fans to enter the stadium, unless otherwise noted.
Here’s a full rundown of what Salem fans should start clearing their schedules for:
APRIL: On Opening Night, Thursday, April 6, the Sox will give away a free Red Sox t-shirt, and kick off the season in style with fireworks after the game. The following night, Salem fans (well, those of legal drinking age) can take home a free beer stein to enjoy their favorite drinks in style. And on Saturday, April 8, the Sox will hand out Trick or Treat bags to celebrate “Halfway to Halloween” Night, presented by OmniSource! Don’t get spooked; this night is sure to be fun for all the ghouls and guys out there!
Thursday, April 27, marks the first of five different Bark in the Park Nights, when fans are encouraged to bring their furry friends out to the diamond to root (and woof!) for the Red Sox. On Friday, April 28, it’s Morphin Time as the Salem Red Sox celebrate the release of the new Power Rangers movie! And on Saturday, April 29, the Force will be with Salem as they hold their first Star Wars night of the season.
MAY: On Friday, May 5, fans can come celebrate Cinco de Mayo with the Sox, who’ll be giving away a Salem Avalanche t-shirt! The following night is Superhero Night at LewisGale Field, presented by Member One. The first 2,000 fans through the gates will receive a free comic book for Comic Book Day, courtesy of B&D Comics.
May 19 and 20 are set to be major nights at the ballpark, because it’s back-to-back bobblehead giveaways! First, Friday, May 19 is Chicago Night, with an Anthony Rizzo bobblehead, to celebrate the Salem alum’s participation in the 2016 World Series win for the Chicago Cubs! Then on Saturday, May 20, it’s Pink in the Park night, benefiting Susan G. Komen, with special jerseys for the players and a Ben Zobrist bobblehead to fête the former Salem player who also was a part of the 2016 World Series champion Cubs, and was named the World Series Most Valuable Player! Even better: the two bobbleheads are designed to give each other a high-five! The bobbleheads are presented by Geico.
JUNE: Friday, June 2 is Graduates Night, to celebrate the area students who’ve received their diplomas, from elementary school all the way through college! The next night is the Paw Patrol/Guns and Hoses game, presented by ServPro. It’s the second Bark in the Park night, and it’s also a chance to pay tribute to the local first responders who keep Salem fans safe. And the youngsters at the park will get the chance to Touch a Truck.
Rev up your engines on Wednesday, June 7 for Harley Night, when the Red Sox welcome motorcycle riders to come show off their hogs at the park, with special fireworks after the game. And just before the All-Star break, it’s Promopalooza on Wednesday, June 14, with the Red Sox pulling out all the stops to show their fans a terrific time! It’s also Teacher Appreciation Night.
The second half of the season will get off to a retro start, with 80s night on Friday, June 23. Fittingly, the Sox will be handing out a free Salem Redbirds t-shirts to celebrate the team’s history! And on Saturday, June 24, the Red Sox celebrate Turn Back the Clock Night with a bobblehead giveaway of a very special surprise person from team history! Plus, the team will wear special throwback Redbirds jerseys – and the staff will go back in time too!
JULY: On Thursday, July 13, the young workers who make the community great are specially welcomed to the ballpark on Young Professionals Night, which coincides with another terrific Bark in the Park! Fans who come to LewisGale Field on Friday, July 14, will be in a world of pure imagination as the Red Sox celebrate Willy Wonka night, complete with a mystery bobblehead! Then, on Saturday, July 15, it’s Moana Night.
Get in the holiday spirit on Thursday, July 27 for Christmas in July. Turn up your dark side on Friday, July 28 for Villains Night, and show us your best evil laugh! And to balance that out, it will be Faith Night on Saturday, July 29, with a giveaway of retro Salem Pirates t-shirts.
AUGUST: The fifth and final Bark in the Park night kicks off the August promotional schedule on Thursday, August 10. Then, the next night is Friday Night Lights, where the young athletes of the community are honored on Youth Sports Night! Mugsy’s Birthday is on Saturday, August 12, with a special Mugsy Jedi bobblehead to help commemorate the second Star Wars Night of the season! Plus, it’s Kids Take Over the Ballpark night, presented by Blue Eagle Credit Union, where the Salem staff will surrender control to young fans.
On Friday, August 25, is Hockey Night, with a Salem Buccaneers
T-shirt giveaway.
SEPTEMBER: September will start with Fan Appreciation Night on Friday, September 1. Coupon books and bobbleheads of 2016 Salem superstar Andrew Benintendi will be given away. Finally, the promotional calendar finishes up with Military Appreciation Night on Saturday, September 2, with a salute to troops past and present.
The Salem Red Sox open 2017 at LewisGale Field on Thursday, April 6 against the Down East Wood Ducks, who make their Carolina League debut. Flex plans and season ticket packages are available at the LewisGale Field box office, by phone at (540) 389-3333, and online at SalemSox.com.
The Carolina League All-Star Game returns to LewisGale Field on Tuesday, June 20. As part of a celebration of 50 years of Carolina League baseball in the Roanoke Valley, the Red Sox will host a skills competition on Monday, June 19. The skills competition will take place at historic Kiwanis Field, the original home of Carolina League baseball in Salem.
All 2017 Salem Red Sox season ticket holders will have tickets to the skills competition and the All-Star Classic included in their ticket package. Further Ticket information and details surrounding the events of All-Star Week will be released at a later date.
