Latest News

Published On: June 3rd, 2022

Event to include a live concert from Michael W. Smith and Cade Thompson

WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis. – The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters continue the tradition of giving back to the local                        community and announce the 2022 Hope on the Diamond event at Witter Field. The event will take place on Fri., June 3 and will showcase the Third Annual Community Drive-Thru followed by a live concert featuring Cade Thompson and three-time Grammy Award winner, Michael W. Smith.

The Third Annual Community Drive-Thru will kick off the full-day event in the Witter Field parking lot off of Lincoln Street. The event will run from 1:00pm to 3:30pm. Local businesses from the Central Wisconsin community will hand out coupons, promotional materials and other goodies to everyone who drives through the event. The Rafters, in partnership with Thrivent Financial, encourage all guests to bring non-perishable food items to donate to SWEPS/FOCUS.

In an effort to “can” hunger, Thrivent Financial will donate $3 up to $3,000 for every non-perishable item donated to Feeding America. Each family that brings a donation will also receive a free Live Generously t-shirt, t-shirts will be limited to one per car. If you donate three items or more, each member of your car will receive a coupon for a free fountain soda to be redeemed at the concert to follow courtesy of Thrivent Financial.

As if the Drive-Thru was not exciting enough, the event will be followed by a Christian Concert held on Witter Field with live performances from Cade Thompson and Michael W. Smith. Gates will open at 6:00pm for the 7:00pm concert with a special opportunity to attend a VIP meet and greet with Smith at 5:30pm.

The Rafters Kid Zone will be open to all attendees when gates open including inflatables, face painting and the opportunity to draw illustrations to be sent to the children of Ukraine. Concessions will also be available with some ticket options including food and drink benefits. For more ticket information call the Raft House at (715) 424-5400 or visit the top of this page.

Tickets are on sale now! Kids 12 and under are free! Grandstand Bleacher seats are $20. Grandstand Box seats are $40 and include food benefits. There is a special VIP offer for $75 that includes a box seat with food benefits and a meet-and-greet opportunity with Smith at 5:30pm. If you are interested in purchasing a Home-Plate Club table call the Rafters at 715-424-5400

The Rafters thank the following sponsors who, without their generosity, the Hope on the Diamond event would not be possible. Special thanks to BMO Harris, Brakebush, Channel 7 WSAW-TV, Church Mutual Insurance, CoVantage Credit Union, Denyon Homes, Furniture and ApplianceMart, Thrivent Financial and 89Q – Hope is Here.

###

The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Having completed its’ 28th season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 22 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires, and front office staff, over 280 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series Champion Max Scherzer (NYM), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (BOS). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2021 All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and 2019 Second Team All-MLB shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. League games are viewable live at watchnwl.com. For more information, visit www.raftersbaseball.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Rafters as your favorite team.