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The Blue Wahoos schedule has given the organization a long gap between home games, straight through the historic Fourth of July weekend that commemorates the nation’s 250th birthday.
It’s the first time in the team’s 14-year history there won’t be a home game around the Fourth of July. The Blue Wahoos are in midst of a 16-day gap between homestands before they will play at Blue Wahoos Stadium again on July 7.
That presented a dilemma, which led into arranging back-to-back nights on July 3 and July 4 where the Blue Wahoos will host community events. Both will feature inflatable water slides, bounce houses, lawn games, plus other on-field activities, along with music, a baseball-themed movie shown on July 3, all culminating with fireworks displays to watch both nights at the ballpark.
“But with this year being so special, the 250th birthday, it was kinda tough for us, because had to figure out what we were going to do,” Blue Wahoos team president Jonathan Griffith said.
Shannon Hannah, the Blue Wahoos long-time events manager, set up two days of on-field activities, entitled “Red, White and Wahoos.” The events feature a baseball themed movie on July 3 on the stadium’s videoboard, a tie-in on July 4 to the Pensacola Symphony’s annual “Sparks and Stars” concert at the Hunter Amphitheater outside the stadium, plus the fireworks shows.
General admission tickets are $10 each night with two special options for VIP seating. On July 4, the City of Pensacola’s fireworks show will be plainly visible above the left field area, making it seem as if the fireworks were being launched right behind the outfield.
“We wanted to give people an opportunity to see fireworks two nights, one being our own show and the other being the city’s show,” Griffith said. “Especially on the Fourth of July, it’s always so crazy downtown, so we still want people to get that experience here at the ballpark with plenty of parking nearby.
“This July 4th is obviously a very big deal, so we want to blow it up and have a show.”
Griffith believes hosting the summer’s biggest weekend of family gatherings at the stadium provides a couple advantages.
“I think, number one, you don’t have to bring anything but yourself,” he said. “We have plenty of comfortable seating at the ballpark, plus you’re able to sit blanket on the outfield. We have plenty of accessible parking at the stadium or nearby.
“We have a large number of clean bathroom. There are activities on the field with the inflatables that provide a safe environment for kids to run around and have a good time.
“It really meets our mission to make memorable experiences in our community. So many people I know spend a lot the Fourth of July here, knowing they are able to visit with the friends and know their kids are able to play in a safe environment.”
WHAT: Two days of family events, fireworks shows.
WHEN: July 3-4, 6 p.m.-9 p.m.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium
ADMISSION: $10 general admission each day, $20 day of event. Upgrades: $40 for Coors Light Cool Zone party deck with All-American buffet meal, free sodas, cash bar for alcoholic beverages or $55 for Hancock Whitney Club level with special chef prepared buffet meet, cash bar, option to purchase a whiskey tasting experience on July 4 by American Born Whiskey.
PARKING: Free at stadium’s main parking lot.
ACTIVITIES: A baseball theme movie will be shown on July 3, along with inflatable water slides, other inflatables, whiffle ball, lawn games, music and appearances by Blue Wahoos mascot Kazoo. The Blue Wahoos will produce fireworks display. On July 4, ticket holders will have a comfortable place to view the City of Pensacola fireworks display, along with viewing of the Pensacola symphony’s annual 4th of July concert. There will also be inflatable water slides, lawn games, whiffle ball, other activities.
INFO: www.bluewahoos.com. Ticket Link: http://bit.ly/4eovbS7.
Bill Vilona is a retired Pensacola News Journal sports columnist and now senior writer for Pensacola Blue Wahoos. He can be reached at [email protected]
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Why the Blue Wahoos are opening the stadium for July 4 with team on road
Continue reading...
It’s the first time in the team’s 14-year history there won’t be a home game around the Fourth of July. The Blue Wahoos are in midst of a 16-day gap between homestands before they will play at Blue Wahoos Stadium again on July 7.
That presented a dilemma, which led into arranging back-to-back nights on July 3 and July 4 where the Blue Wahoos will host community events. Both will feature inflatable water slides, bounce houses, lawn games, plus other on-field activities, along with music, a baseball-themed movie shown on July 3, all culminating with fireworks displays to watch both nights at the ballpark.
“But with this year being so special, the 250th birthday, it was kinda tough for us, because had to figure out what we were going to do,” Blue Wahoos team president Jonathan Griffith said.
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Shannon Hannah, the Blue Wahoos long-time events manager, set up two days of on-field activities, entitled “Red, White and Wahoos.” The events feature a baseball themed movie on July 3 on the stadium’s videoboard, a tie-in on July 4 to the Pensacola Symphony’s annual “Sparks and Stars” concert at the Hunter Amphitheater outside the stadium, plus the fireworks shows.
General admission tickets are $10 each night with two special options for VIP seating. On July 4, the City of Pensacola’s fireworks show will be plainly visible above the left field area, making it seem as if the fireworks were being launched right behind the outfield.
“We wanted to give people an opportunity to see fireworks two nights, one being our own show and the other being the city’s show,” Griffith said. “Especially on the Fourth of July, it’s always so crazy downtown, so we still want people to get that experience here at the ballpark with plenty of parking nearby.
“This July 4th is obviously a very big deal, so we want to blow it up and have a show.”
You must be registered for see images
Griffith believes hosting the summer’s biggest weekend of family gatherings at the stadium provides a couple advantages.
“I think, number one, you don’t have to bring anything but yourself,” he said. “We have plenty of comfortable seating at the ballpark, plus you’re able to sit blanket on the outfield. We have plenty of accessible parking at the stadium or nearby.
“We have a large number of clean bathroom. There are activities on the field with the inflatables that provide a safe environment for kids to run around and have a good time.
“It really meets our mission to make memorable experiences in our community. So many people I know spend a lot the Fourth of July here, knowing they are able to visit with the friends and know their kids are able to play in a safe environment.”
You must be registered for see images attach
RED, WHITE & WAHOOS
WHAT: Two days of family events, fireworks shows.
WHEN: July 3-4, 6 p.m.-9 p.m.
WHERE: Blue Wahoos Stadium
ADMISSION: $10 general admission each day, $20 day of event. Upgrades: $40 for Coors Light Cool Zone party deck with All-American buffet meal, free sodas, cash bar for alcoholic beverages or $55 for Hancock Whitney Club level with special chef prepared buffet meet, cash bar, option to purchase a whiskey tasting experience on July 4 by American Born Whiskey.
PARKING: Free at stadium’s main parking lot.
ACTIVITIES: A baseball theme movie will be shown on July 3, along with inflatable water slides, other inflatables, whiffle ball, lawn games, music and appearances by Blue Wahoos mascot Kazoo. The Blue Wahoos will produce fireworks display. On July 4, ticket holders will have a comfortable place to view the City of Pensacola fireworks display, along with viewing of the Pensacola symphony’s annual 4th of July concert. There will also be inflatable water slides, lawn games, whiffle ball, other activities.
INFO: www.bluewahoos.com. Ticket Link: http://bit.ly/4eovbS7.
Bill Vilona is a retired Pensacola News Journal sports columnist and now senior writer for Pensacola Blue Wahoos. He can be reached at [email protected]
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Why the Blue Wahoos are opening the stadium for July 4 with team on road
Continue reading...
