New amusement brings ride for the whole family at the Friendliest Ballpark in America this season
DAVENPORT, Iowa – Modern Woodmen Park will really be rockin’ on the river this summer. The Quad Cities River Bandits and Main Street Amusements announce that their newest attraction, the River Rocker, will open at the Friendliest Ballpark in America this season. The Rocker will be located on the first-base side of the concourse and will make it’s debut on Tuesday, April 26, when the River Bandits begin a six-game home stand against the South Bend Cubs. Admission to the game will be completely free and tickets are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The boat cabin will sway riders back and forth almost 20 feet into the Davenport sky, creating a floating sensation as the boat reaches its apex. The River Rocker, complete with multi-color LED lights, becomes the seventh amusement attraction at Modern Woodmen Park and marks the third consecutive year a new ride has debuted. Riders must be at least 42” tall and the cabin is designed to allow parents and children to ride together. The River Rocker can comfortably fit up to 12 passengers, adults or children, at a time.
“We’re always looking find new ways to provide the people of the Quad Cities with the best, most fun and most affordable family-friendly entertainment,” says River Bandits owner Dave Heller. “Adding another great ride is one thing, but adding one that parents and children can enjoy together is what really drives us. When families come to Modern Woodmen Park, they’ll remember the great rides, delicious food and entertaining baseball. But, most important, parents and children will share joy-filled family memories of wonderful nights at the ballpark for the rest of their lives.”
The Rocker, like all amusements at Modern Woodmen Park, will help support Main Street Amusements’ charitable efforts. For every ride on the amusements at Modern Woodmen Park, the River Bandits and Main Street Amusements donate 50 cents to Genesis Health Services Foundation health initiatives for children, including the Flu-Free Quad Cities campaign, Camp Genesis - for kids who have someone close to them with cancer - and Genesis Neonatal Intensive Care services to help struggling newborn babies.
“We’re very proud of the charitable contributions we’ve been able to make through Main Street Amusements throughout the years,” says River Bandits General Manager Andrew Chesser. “When you combine a fun new ride for our fans and another way to raise money for important causes, that’s what we call a total win-win.”
Since Main Street Baseball took over as owners of the River Bandits, the team has added six amusement areas for family entertainment. The K and K Hardware Kids Zone, which includes bounce houses, inflatable sports activities and a prize wheel, the Spin Zone Bumper Cars, a zip line that flies over 330 feet of distance and starts at over 30 feet in the air, the Mediacom Drop ‘n Twist and Space Camp, plus the 110-foot Giant Wheel that lights up the Davenport skyline and welcomes travelers across the Mississippi River into Iowa. Now the River Rocker joins the lineup as a big hit for the whole family.
“Some of the most consistent feedback we’ve received has been a desire for more rides that parents and their children can enjoy together,” says Assistant General Manager of Amusements Mike Clark. “The River Rocker is just that. The thrill of feeling like you’re floating while flying through the air is a sensation that parents and kids alike will enjoy. And the best part is they can enjoy it together.”
The River Bandits begin a six-game home stand on Tuesday, April 26, at 7:00 p.m. CT against the South Bend Cubs. Advance tickets are available for purchase, as are single-game and full-season ride passes. For more information, including a full schedule and pricing, call 563-324-3000, visit riverbandits.com or stop by the box office at Modern Woodmen Park from Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or on game days from 9 a.m. through the seventh inning.
UP NEXT: The River Bandits begin a six-game home stand on Tuesday, April 26, with COMPLETELY FREE ADMISSION for all fans. Tickets can be picked up at the Modern Woodmen Park box office on a first-come, first-serve basis. The box office is open at 9 a.m. CT until the seventh inning of the game. There is no limit to the number of tickets that can be distributed at absolutely no cost. Contact the box office at (563) 324-3000 for more information.
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.
