Chiefs Announce 2006 Promo Schedule
February 16, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Peoria Chiefs News Release
PEORIA, IL- The Peoria Chiefs have announced their 2006 Promotional Schedule headlined by O'Brien Field Appearances from Ron Santo and Fergie Jenkins. In addition, the Chiefs have planned four Jersey Auctions, eight fireworks shows, on-field performances by seven acts, five Bobble Head Giveaways, a Collectors Series Baseball Giveaway and numerous other giveaways and nightly promotions.
Special Appearances
Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins will help the Chiefs kick-start their schedule with a two-day appearance beginning Opening Night Thursday April 13th when the Chiefs face the Swing of the Quad Cities at 6:30 PM. The former Cubs star will throw out a first pitch and then sign autographs for $20 with the proceeds benefiting the Fergie Jenkins Foundation which supports various American and Canadian charities including the Red Cross, Special Olympics and YMCA. Jenkins will return to O'Brien Field on Friday April 14th when the Chiefs again face the Swing at 6:30 PM.
Cubs radio broadcaster and fan favorite Ron Santo will be at O'Brien Field on Saturday June 10th as a special guest of IPMR. As part of the IPMR Fundraising Night, Santo will be available to sign autographs during the game for a limited time with all proceeds benefiting IPMR. This is the 4th consecutive season that IPMR has held a night at O'Brien Field with past guests Whitey Herzog, Lou Brock and Ryne Sandberg.
Illini Night
On Thursday June 1st, the Chiefs will host Paint O'Brien Field Orange Night with the Fighting Illini. The Chiefs players will wear special Orange uniforms that will be signed and auctioned after the game. Chiefs staff members are currently working to secure special guests at O'Brien Field for Illini Night on June 1st with another announcement expected in the near future.
Special Jerseys/Jersey Auctions
Over the past three years, the Chiefs have worn special jerseys on five occasions with the jerseys being signed by players and auctioned after the games to benefit various charities. During the 2006 season there are four such jersey nights. On Thursday May 18th the Chiefs will wear green Irish jerseys as part of Irish Night presented by Kelleher's Pub & Eatery. On Saturday July 15th the Chiefs will wear Hawaiian jerseys a part of Jimmy Buffet Night with all proceeds going to the Pediatric Research Center. On Saturday August 12th, the Chiefs will wear red Firefighters jerseys as part of Firefighters Night with all proceeds benefiting Muscular Dystrophy Association. The two charities for the Irish and Illini Jerseys will be announced at a later date.
Fireworks Nights
The Chiefs will again continue the tradition of spectacular fireworks shows at O'Brien Field following Saturday night home games. Overall there will be eight fireworks shows: April 29, May 20, June 3, June 10, July 3, July 15, July 29 and August 12. The July 3rd game is a Monday night and will serve as the 4th of July fireworks show. There will not be fireworks following the Saturday May 6th game since that game is scheduled to start at 11:00 am due to a Bradley game that night. The July 4th game will begin at 5:30 PM and fans are invited to stay at O'Brien Field after the contest for a close-up view of the Downtown Peoria fireworks.
Entertainment Acts
On the success of the on-field entertainment acts in 2005, the Chiefs have scheduled numerous performance acts in 2006 including some returning performers and a few acts who have never performed at O'Brien Field. The first on-field act will be newcomer Jake the Diamond Dog who will perform Friday May 5th and Saturday May 6th on his first of two trips to Peoria. The Fabulous Blues Brothers return on O'Brien Field on Friday May 19th. Birdzerk will join the Illini coaches and players at O'Brien Field on Thursday June 1st. The following
night, Friday June 2nd, The Zooperstars return to Peoria and on Saturday June 3rd, Myron Noodleman makes his first 2006 appearance. Skyy Dogs USA come back to Peoria on Sunday June 4th as part of Bark in the Park. Jake the Diamond Dog returns on Saturday June 10th and Sunday June 11th. Reggy makes his O'Brien Field debut on
Tuesday July 4th to help the Chiefs celebrate Independence Day. Birdzerk returns on Saturday August 4th and Myron Noodleman caps the entertainment acts on Friday August 25th.
Bobble Heads & Collectors Baseball Giveaways
The two collectors series giveaways in 2006 will be Bobble Heads (5) and a Series of Photo Baseball (4) Giveaways. The five Bobble Heads will be: Ron Santo (June 2), Yadier Molina (July 14), Chiefs Manager Jody Davis (July 28), Kerry Wood in a Chiefs uniform (August 4) and Harry Caray (August 11). The baseball set features a headshot and stats of four Chiefs players from last season: Grant Johnson (June 22), Ryan Harvey (June 29), Sean Gallagher (July 6) and Eric Patterson (August 24).
Concerts
The Chiefs have set up two post-game concerts for the 2006 season and are still planning on adding more throughout the season. Grammy award winning group Avalon will perform following the Friday June 30th game as part of Christian Night at O'Brien Field. After a one year absence, and back by popular request, Coco Loco returns to perform post-game as part of Jimmy Buffet Night on Saturday July 15th.
Day Games
The Chiefs have scheduled a handful of day games in 2006. On Friday May 5th and Saturday May 6th the Chiefs will begin play at 11:00 am due to Bradley games those nights. Wednesday May 17th is an 11:00 am game against West Michigan that serves as the annual DARE Day game. Wednesday July 18th the Chiefs will face off against South Bend at 11:00 am in the 2nd annual Super Splash Day at O'Brien Field. In addition, every Sunday game except for April 30th and May 7th will begin at 2:00 pm. The April 30th and May 7th games will begin at 6:30 pm due to earlier Bradley games those days. The two home Holiday Games, Memorial Day May 29th and July 4th will both begin at 5:00 pm.
Weekly Promotions:
Mondays will be Mountain Dew Half Price Mondays with all tickets half price: $5.00 Club Box, $4.50 Box, $3.00 Lawn.
Tuesdays will again be Taco Bell Combo Tuesday. Fans may purchase any Taco Bell combo meal on any Tuesday gameday before 6:00 pm and get two free box seats for that evening's game.
All home Wednesdays in 2006 will be Dollar Day with $1.00 Hot dogs and $1.00 sodas
Thursdays will be Family Fun Night with between inning games and music designed around entertaining the family.
Fridays will again feature Premium Giveaways and On Field Entertainment including: Bobble Head giveaways, Blues Brothers. Myron Noodleman, Zooperstars, Famous Chicken, and Birdzerk.
Saturdays in 2006 will be Fireworks Saturdays.
Sundays will be Kids Day with Kids themed giveaways, Kids run the bases, Concourse Entertainment & Chiefs players sign autographs after every Sunday game.
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