(via Ottawa Senators)
More than 50 players, prospects and alumni to participate in fan press conferences, autograph sessions, intra-squad game and more.
The Ottawa Senators (@Senators) announced today additional details for the team’s annual Fan Fest, which will take place this Sunday, Sept. 25, at Canadian Tire Centre (@CdnTireCtr). The event will feature four unique fan press conferences, two team practices, a Senators’ intra-squad game, autograph sessions, interactive games and entertainment throughout the arena.
Advance tickets to Fan Fest are now on sale for $10 (including taxes and CRF but excluding convenience fees) and include access to each of the event’s components. The first 7,500 fans to purchase a ticket viahttp://www.ottawasenators.com/fanfest will receive a limited edition Craig Anderson bobblehead on-site. Fans can retrieve their bobblehead by having their ticket marked at the tent on Frank Finnigan Way. Anderson’s will be the only available bobblehead until January of 2017. A limited number of tickets will also be available on-site for $15 (includes taxes, CRF and convenience fees). Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance.
Fan Fest will officially get underway at 9 a.m. when Senators general manager Pierre Dorion and assistant general manager Randy Lee will join TSN 1200’s Gord Wilson and fans on the Gate 1 plaza to unveil the player names of the first seven limited edition bobbleheads which the club will later distribute in recognition of the team’s 25th anniversary.
Senators players will be split into two teams on Sunday. Fans will have the opportunity to watch team practices at 10 a.m. and at 12:40 p.m., while the two teams will go head-to-head in an intra-squad game that is scheduled to begin at 11:15 a.m.
Following the practice and intra-squad game, more than 50 Senators players and prospects will participate in autograph sessions at 1:30 p.m. and at 2:45 p.m. Each fan will receive a scratch-and-win ticket upon entering Canadian Tire Centre, which will permit access to exclusive autograph sessions and a chance to win Senators prizes. Fans can also obtain a wristband to meet Senators players and prospects at various locations on the 200-level throughout the day (limit of one wristband per fan at any given time).
Starting at 9:15 a.m., fans will have the opportunity to participate in four exclusive press conferences where they get to ask the questions to designated members of the club’s executive team, players, prospects and members of the Sens Alumni. The press conferences will take place in the tent on the Gate 1 plaza and will have the following themes:
State of the Franchise (9:15 a.m.) – Emcee’d by Wilson, fans can join Dorion and Lee to discuss the Senators franchise on and off the ice.
The Reporters (10:15 a.m.) – TSN 1200’s Steve Lloyd will pose questions to members of the local media including Postmedia’s Bruce Garrioch and Le Droit’s Marc Brassard regarding the 2016-17 Senators, the World Cup of Hockey and other pertinent hockey issues.
Behind the Letters – A Captain’s Life (12:40 p.m.) – Senators alumni including Laurie Boschman take the stage with TSN 1200’s AJ Jakubec to discuss wearing a letter and leadership in the dressing room and on the ice.
Kids Only Press Conference (1:30 p.m.) – Led by TSN 1200’s Ian Mendes, Senators players will answer some of the toughest and more unpredictable questions from some of team’s youngest fans.
Sens Family Feud (2:45 p.m.) – Led by Wilson, Senators players and alumni will team up to win dressing room bragging rights in the Senators version of Family Feud.
On-site activations – This year, fans will be able to take their photo with the Calder Trophy, and a cutout of 1996 recipient Daniel Alfredsson courtesy of Canadian Tire along with the Mark Messier trophy and King Clancy memorial trophy, both of which Alfredsson won. The Egg Farmers of Ontario will be on-hand distributing egg recipes and helping fans to garnish eggs in a variety of ways.
Returning this year, fans can compare their athleticism to Senators players by participating in four tests that every player had to complete as part of the opening day of training camp – medicine ball chest pass, lateral shuffle, vertical jump and the one-legged standing broad jump. In addition, throughout the day, entertainers including balloonists and face-painters will welcome fans to Canadian Tire Centre, while fans can also take a RAM truck for a test drive and participate in several interactive components from the Sens Street Tour.
Metro Ford dealers – Metro Ford Dealers of Ottawa will also be on site showcasing 2016 Ford F-150’s as part a new sponsorship activation with the club. More details on this new partnership will be announced soon.
Equipment sale – Please note that the Sens Store’s annual equipment and game-worn jersey sale will not take place at this year’s Fan Fest.
Parking and concessions – Free parking is available throughout the day at Canadian Tire Centre, while all items at concession stands (with the exception of alcohol and Tim Hortons products) will be 50 per cent off during Fan Fest. Festivities will conclude at approximately 5 p.m.
Live broadcast – Fans unable to attend Fan Fest in person can watch a live Fan Fest broadcast on CTV2 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For more information on Fan Fest, please visit www.ottawasenators.com.