DAVENPORT, IOWA (February 19, 2019) — The Quad Cities River Bandits today unveiled a jam-packed promotional schedule for the upcoming 2019 season. The schedule incorporates many familiar fan-favorites from the past, including 18 giveaways and 19 theme nights, mixed with fresh new ideas sure to provide entertainment for the whole family.
The River Bandits open the 2019 campaign at Modern Woodmen Park with a bang on Thursday, April 4, and Friday, April 5, against the Burlington Bees. Each game will feature a great post-game fireworks show. In addition, anyone attending either game will receive a River Bandits pennant and 2019 magnet schedule.
“The people of the Quad Cities continue to support the River Bandits in unmatched numbers, and we continue to come up with bigger and better ways to make sure our guests get the best entertainment value possible,” said River Bandits’ owner Dave Heller. “With so many huge giveaways, special appearances, great amusement rides and more fireworks nights than ever before, the River Bandits now offer more family-friendly fun and affordable entertainment than any other ballpark in Minor League Baseball.”
Another big celebration will occur the weekend of July 4. The Bandits begin a five-game homestand on Independence Day that will last throughout the entire holiday weekend. There will be fireworks following the contest on Thursday, July 4, as well as a big post-game fireworks show after the games on Friday, July 5, and Saturday, July 6.
Bandits fans will have the opportunity to collect six unique bobblehead dolls throughout the 2019 season. The first in the series will feature former River Bandit and recently retired Minnesota Twins star Joe Mauer on Saturday, May 25. Mauer hit .302 during his lone season in the Quad Cities in 2002. Loot Llama will be the featured bobblehead on Saturday, June 8, for the first ever Fortnite Celebration at Modern Woodmen Park. One week later on Saturday, June 15, Rascal will be part of a Chewbacca-themed bobblehead in tribute to Star Wars Night. On Harry Potter Night Saturday, July 6, former Bandits pitcher, Red Sox World Series star, and current Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Joe Kelly will see his bobblehead receive a magical touch. The remaining pair of bobbleheads include Quad Cities wrestling star Colby Lopez on Saturday, July 20, and Captain America on Saturday, August 24.
There will be multiple opportunities this season for children to make their way around Modern Woodmen Park in search of prizes. The first of those comes as part of an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 20. Back by popular demand are the post-game helicopter drops during which a helicopter hovers over the outfield and dumps candy or toy cars onto the field for kids to collect. The candy drop will take place on Sunday, April 28 with the car drop slated for Sunday, May 26.
Finally, throughout the weekend of June 14-16, Bandits fans will have a unique opportunity to see, touch, and try on diamond-encrusted World Series rings from each of the four most recent World Series champions, the Kansas City Royals (2015), Chicago Cubs (2016), Houston Astros (2017), and Boston Red Sox (2018) — the first time the last four World Series rings have ever visited a Minor League ballpark.
Fans can make sure that they are in attendance for their favorite giveaway or theme nights by ordering tickets today. Single-game tickets are now available online for all 2019 home games. Visit the ticket page on the River Bandits website in order to choose your seats. A complete list of dates for all giveaways and theme nights during the 2019 season is provided below.
Fan Giveaways
Pennant (Mediacom) and Magnet Schedule (Access Systems): April 4 and 5
Collectable Coaster #1: April 26
Megaphone (Goodwill): May 10
Bandits Game of Thrones Flag Giveaway: May 11
Joe Mauer Bobblehead (Mediacom): May 25
Pint Glass (Crawford Company): June 7
Loot Llama Bobblehead (Red Hot Chicago): June 8
Rascal/Chewbacca Bobblehead: June 15
Sunglass Giveaway (Falken Tire): July 4
Collectable Coaster #2: July 5
Joe Kelly/Harry Potter Bobblehead: July 6
Clear Plastic Tote Bag (Per Mar Security): July 19
Colby Lopez Bobblehead (Alorica): July 20
Collectable Coaster #3 (Tri-State Fire Control): July 26
Collectable Coaster #4 (Milan Medical Group): August 15
Backpack (Pepsi): August 17
Captain America Bobblehead (RIA Federal Credit Union): August 24
Sunglasses (Hankook Tire): August 25
Das Boot Mug (Bier Stube): August 31
Theme Nights/Events
Easter Egg Hunt (Olde Towne Bakery): April 20
Candy Drop (18th St Bettendorf Dairy Queen) / Ladies Day: April 28
Mental Health Awareness Night/ Jersey Auction (Vera French): May 9
Games of Thrones Night: May 11
A Tribute to Veterans Night/ Jersey Auction: (QC Veterans Outreach Center): May 24
Car Drop (McLaughlin Motors): May 26
Advantage Weed and Feed Night: May 30
QCBRA & Epic Stone Night: June 5
Margaritaville Night: June 6
Fortnite Night: June 8
Faith and Fellowship Night (Chick-Fil-A & Moody Radio): June 9
Field of Dreams Night: June 14
Star Wars Night: June 15
Navy Night (7G): June 27
Make-A-Wish: Fundraising Night (Olympic Steel) June 28
Patriotic Jersey Auction (Falken Tire): July 4
Harry Potter Night / Jersey Auction: July 6
Science Night: July 17
Safety Night (Per Mar Security): July 19
First Responder’s Night (LyondellBassell): July 21
Black and Brave Night: July 24
Health and Fitness Night (Michelob Ultra): July 25
Goodwill Treasure Hunters Night/ Jersey Auction: August 9
Guys Night (Budweiser): August 15
Back to School Night (Pepsi): August 17
Marvel Superhero Night: August 24
German Heritage Night: August 31
Weekly Promotions
Mondays — All Amusement rides are just $1.00.
Tuesdays — Buck Night: All Amusement rides are just $1.00.
Wednesdays — We Care Wednesday: Portion of the proceeds from game and 50/50 raffle are donated to local veterans groups.
Thursdays — Thirsty Thursday: $2.00 beer and soda.
Fridays — Smart Toyota Fireworks Friday: Stay after the game and enjoy a spectacular fireworks show!
* All giveaways and theme nights are subject to change
ABOUT THE BANDITS: The 2019 season will be the River Bandits’ seventh year as the Single-A affiliate of the Houston Astros and the 12th anniversary season since regaining the River Bandits moniker, which in 2015 was voted a top-8 nickname in all of Minor League Baseball. The River Bandits anchor the Quad Cities sports market, which The Sports Business Journal named the top minor league sports market in the country in 2015 and second-best minor league market in its 2017 follow-up ranking. The River Bandits’ charitable donations reached nearly $600,000 in 2017, including a $100,000 cash donation to Genesis Health Systems, an all-time record. In 2015 and again in 2017, the River Bandits earned Ballpark Digest’s award for “Best Charitable Works” in Minor League Baseball, the only club to win that coveted award twice. For more information, visit www.riverbandits.com or contact Jacqueline Holm at (563) 324-3000.
