Friday, March 1, 2013

THE BERNIES, DR. SEUSS' BIRTHDAY THIS WEEKND

Press Release

DUBUQUE, Iowa -The red carpet will be rolled out, the sky lit up, and the paparazzi swarming Friday night as the A-List of the United States Hockey League will be on hand at the Mystique Community Ice Center for the second annual, "Bernie Awards" presented by ManorCare Health Services. While the Oscars have come and gone, the Fighting Saints will present their own awards show, honoring their loyal fans, local celebrities, and members of the organization on a night that hopes to bring a few more laughs than the main event last Sunday. Friday's contest versus Cedar Rapids at 7:35 p.m. is just the start of a weekend full of Fighting Saints hockey, and a busy month of March that sees Dubuque play nine home games. This weekend concludes with another celebrity coming to the rink as the Cat in the Hat will stop at the arena Saturday night as Dubuque hosts Sioux Falls at 7:05 p.m. and celebrate Dr. Seuss' Birthday. The Fighting Saints will host a Book Drive in conjunction with Saturday's game, encouraging fans to bring books to the arena to be donated to libraries of local schools to help promote literacy, reading, and education.


The hardware will be handed out Friday with the coveted Bernie awards polished and ready to be given to the best of the best in the Key City. Dubuque has been in the news this past week with a viral video of a third grader making a buzzer-beating half court shot in a local youth basketball game. The newly found celebrity that hit that shot, youngster Mason Kunkel, will be in attendance Friday night to receive a Bernie, as well as have a chance to replicate the feat on the ice and earn more prizes. The video of his half court shot has appeared on ESPN and national television, and has received over 200,000 views on YouTube.
Other awards that will be handed our Friday night will honor the fans at the arena, the players on the ice, and the winners of various intermission contests and promotions. Some awards will be traditional such as Best Supporting Actor, given to the player who provides the first assist of the night, and other awards include Best Hockey Mom and Best Original Cowbell. After the game on the ice is completed and the awards are handed out, The Bernies after-party will move to the DB&T Club where fans can mingle with the winners and discuss who was the best and worst dressed.

Saturday's matchup on the ice features the top two teams in the USHL with the Sioux Falls Stampede making its first trip to Dubuque this season to celebrate what would have been Dr Seuss' 109th birthday. Off the ice, the Fighting Saints will help promote a good cause by holding a Book Drive benefiting libraries of local schools. The Fighting Saints are encouraging all fans to bring a new or gently used children's book to the arena Saturday night to help promote literacy, reading and education in the Tri-State region. The books will be collected at the Fan Services table and will be donated to local schools following the game.
The evening will be a great time, with the matchup on the ice prime and at the arena things may even rhyme. Much like Dr. Seuss's work, rhyming will be a theme at the arena Saturday during entertainment and promotions. Characters from Dr. Seuss' books also are apart of the evening. The Cat in the Hat will make an appearance at the game, and breaks in the action will feature Thing 1 and Thing 2, as well as One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish. There is no word on if the concession stands at the Mystique Community Ice Center will serve Green Eggs and Ham.


 (Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

No comments: