ZOOperstars! and Pro Wrestling Hall of Famer “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan highlight Rafters games in 2015

For a Full listing of the 2015 Promotional Schedule, please CLICK HERE.

Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.-The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters are thrilled to announce their full promotional schedule for the 2015 season. Dazzling fireworks shows, unique bobble head giveaways, exciting celebrity appearances, and very funny entertainment acts fill the schedule all season long.

Opening Week
The Rafters will begin the 2015 season at historic Witter Field with a series against the Wisconsin Woodchucks. Opening Night is slated for Tuesday, May 26th at 6:35 pm and will feature a magnet schedule giveaway presented by Nieman’s Service and grand entrance by Rosco P. Rafter. Wednesday, May 27th will feature an appearance by the always-entertaining ZOOperstars!, sponsored by Paper City Savings.

Special Theme Nights
Thursday, June 4th will be Frozen Night presented by Paul Gross Jewelers. There will be a tiara giveaway to all princesses and appearance by Princess Elsa and Princess Anna from the movie Frozen. Everyone dressed up will receive a coupon for a free “Frozen” themed ice cream sundae! Friday, June 12th will bring the first celebrity appearance at Witter Field as WAOW TV-9 presents Pro Wrestling Hall of Famer “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan who will be on hand to meet fans and sign autographs on two by fours. United Way is sponsoring the Hunger Coalition Food Sculpture Event – United We Can on Wednesday, June 17th. Schoep’s Ice Cream presents Jimmy Buffet Night on Thursday, June 18th that will feature Hawaiian ice cream, margarita specials and even a “Cheeseburger in Paradise” eating contest. Jockey Being Family Superhero Night comes to Wisconsin Rapids on Friday, June 19th. All kids in costume will get in for free and there will be a contest to determine the best superhero attire. Game one of the doubleheader on Monday June 29th will be Boys & Girls Club Day presented by Cellcom. Wisconsin PBS Kids activities will include a meet and greet with Clifford the Big Red Dog. The nightcap on Monday, June 29th will see the return of Sportsman’s Night. The ever-popular Bacon Appreciation Night returns to the schedule on Monday, July 6th when the Rafters take on the Wisconsin Woodchucks. Bacon themed specials like BLT’s, pigsicles, bacon chocolate sundaes, and bacon wrapped shrimp will highlight the menu that evening. Witter Field will once again welcome all dogs to the game on Wednesday, July 15th with the return of Quality Feed and Seed Bark in the Park Night. Fans can bring their canine companions to the game and receive a Tug Buster toy giveaway, courtesy of Quality Feed and Seed. Fans are also encouraged to dress themselves and their dogs up for an on-field costume contest. Founding Partners Fan Appreciation Night will take place on the final home game of the regular season on Sunday, August 9th with great giveaways all night long.

Northwoods League All-Star Game
The 2015 Northwoods League All-Star Game presented by Marshfield Clinic makes its return to Wisconsin Rapids on Tuesday July 21st featuring an acrobatic performance by the sensational pogo stick group XPOGO with post game fireworks to follow. The Marshfield Clinic Home Run Challenge will begin at 5:05 pm with the first pitch for the All-Star Game set for 7:05.

Bobbleheads
The 2015 season will feature three bobblehead giveaway nights. Skyward Educators Appreciation Night on Tuesday, June 9th will feature the first bobblehead of the season when the Skyward Central Wisconsin Teachers of the Year, Mr. Bill Oswald (Wisconsin Rapids Area Middle School) and Mrs. Jessica Fischer (Ben Franklin Junior High School in Stevens Point), will have a bobblehead featuring their likenesses. The first Rosco P. Rafter bobblehead giveaway of the season will come your way on Saturday, July 18th on Advanced Disposal “Go Green” Night. The bobblehead will feature Rosco P. Rafter assuming the identity of Eco-Man, Protector of the Environment. Saturday, August 8th, will feature a Rosco Rafting bobblehead presented by Marshfield Clinic. On the morning of August 8th, Rosco will lead fans in a “Raft Across the Wisconsin Rive Race” beginning at 10:00am. All pre-registered participants will receive bobbleheads with the remaining inventory to be given away at that night’s game. Additional details on the River Race will be revealed closer to the event.

Fireworks
On five occasions during the 2015 season the Rafters will feature post-game fireworks shows that will dazzle all fans in attendance. On Saturday, June 20th the Rafters will host the Battle Creek Bombers at 6:05 pm. Gates will open at 5:05 pm for the game and be sure to stick around following the game as Heartland Farms sponsors the first fireworks spectacular of the season. Marshfield Clinic will help start the Fourth of July festivities with a fireworks extravaganza following the Rafters home game on July 2nd. All fans in attendance on July 2nd will also receive a lighted baton to enhance the atmosphere at Witter Field during the fireworks display. Saturday, July 18th will be the third fireworks show of the season sponsored by Advanced Disposal, following the Rafters tilt with the La Crosse Loggers. Marshfield Clinic is presenting the fireworks show following the 2015 Northwoods League All-Star Game on Tuesday, July 21st. The final post-game firework show of the season will occur following the game on Saturday, August 8th and is presented by Budweiser.

Entertainment Acts
The inflatable, zany, ZOOperstars! will appear at Witter Field twice during the upcoming season–on May 27th presented by Paper City Savings and again on August 6th presented by the Water Works & Lighting Commission. The Human Cannonball will soar across the field on June 10th courtesy of Heartland Farms. The urban acrobatic group Flow Parkour will amaze fans on Wednesday, June 24th, courtesy of Nasonville Dairy. The drumming group Bucket Ruckus will dazzle fans during and after the game on July 1st presented by Bull’s Eye Credit Union. The Rafters will welcome loveable mascot “Rally” on July 31st to help fans cheer on the Rafters, courtesy of Schierl Tire & Service.

Jersey Auction Nights
The Rafters will hold four jersey auctions during the 2015 season that will feature all-new jersey designs than in previous seasons. Tuesday, June 2nd will see the return of “Summertime St. Patty’s Day” presented by Advanced Disposal and feature the Rafters in Leprechaun themed jerseys. The next night Fey Printing brings you “Turn Back the Clock Night”. The Rafters will pay tribute to the city’s baseball history with an ode to the Wisconsin Rapids White Sox and will don vintage White Sox uniforms that will be available in a silent auction. The night will also feature $1 hot dogs and 50 cent root beer floats. On Thursday, June 11th Ho-Chunk Gaming Nekoosa will sponsor the first-ever casino themed jersey. Baseball bingo will accompany the special casino inspired jerseys that will be auctioned off after the game. Fans will not be the only ones dressed as super heroes on Friday, June 19th as the Rafters will wear their own super hero themed jerseys courtesy of Jockey Being Family. Marshfield Clinic Cancer Awareness Night will be held on Monday, August 3rd. That night the Rafters will wear multi-colored uniforms featuring the signatures of cancer survivors and will be available for auction with all proceeds going to the Marshfield Clinic Cancer Research Foundation.

Giveaways
Opening Day for the Rafters on Tuesday, May 26th will feature magnet schedule giveaway courtesy of Nieman’s Service. On Sunday, May 31st the Incourage Community Foundation will give away kites to celebrate the arrival of summer. All kids 12 and under should circle their calendars on Sunday, June 7th for the Bull’s Eye Credit Union Piggy Bank giveaway. Following the game, kids will have the opportunity to run on the field and collect as many of the 1,000 quarters thrown out onto the field as they can. Wisconsin Dells Night presented by Delton Grand will see the first 1,000 fans receive Wisconsin Dells coupon books and hotel stay giveaways. Duncan Disability Law S.C. presents a salute to the 40th Anniversary of Saturday Night with a cowbell giveaway on Thursday, June 25th. Solarus Baseball Card Night will be held on Tuesday, July 14th, when trading card sets of the 2015 team will be handed out prior to the game. Fans will get to take home a poster of this year’s Rafters team on Sunday, July 26th, presented by Luke A. Weiland Attorney at Law. One of the more interesting nights of the season will be “Circle of Life Night” on Thursday, August 7th featuring giveaways corresponding to major milestone events in life like attending college or buying your first home, presented by Mid-State Technical College, Sears Hometown Store, Alpine Home Medical and more.

Community Nights
Assumption Catholic Schools Night will occur on Monday, June 8th as the Rafters host the Kalamazoo Growlers at 7:05pm. Make sure to wear blue and show off your Royals pride as the Assumption marching band performs during the evening. Riverview Night will be Wednesday, June 17th. Join us for a night dedicated to all the good Riverview does for Wisconsin Rapids and the surrounding communities. July 4th will be Incourage Community Foundation Day at the ballpark. The first 250 fans that bring a non-perishable food item to the Rafters ticket office will have the chance to purchase two tickets for the price of one. The game will begin at 3:05 pm and will be over in plenty of time to head downtown and view the spectacular fireworks display Wisconsin Rapids has to offer. Christian Life Fellowship will also be presenting Military Appreciation Day on July 4th. July 31st will be Schierl Tire and Service Night to benefit the Boys and Girls Club.

The Rafters host their season opener on Tuesday, May 26th at 6:35 pm when they take on the Wisconsin Woodchucks. Rafters single game tickets go on sale on Friday, April 24th at 9:00am. Tickets will be available by visiting Raftersbaseball.com or calling the Rafters ticket office at 715-424-5400.

###

The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 22nd season of summer collegiate baseball in 2015, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 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, more than 120 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Allen Craig (BOS) and Ben Zobrist (OAK). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League Website.  For more information, visit www.raftersbaseball.com.