ALLENTOWN, Pa. — David Bonaskiewich, a die-hard baseball fan, said it was by accident that he attended Pig Day at Coca-Cola Park.
He had already bought Phillies tickets for the season and read that the Lehigh Valley IronPigs box office opened Saturday with its annual Pig Day event to mark the beginning of a new baseball season.
But once he was there, he found free food, face painting, yard signs, live music by Erin Kelly and a special appearance from Charlie, a therapy pig.
- The Lehigh Valley IronPigs held their annual Pig Day at Allentown's Coca-Cola Park on Saturday to mark the official start of baseball season
- The event offered free food, face painting, music and more
- IronPigs officials say its part of a whole season of entertainment the team has planned
The Pig Day tradition started as a way to mark the first day that tickets become available to fans. The team no longer offers paper tickets, but the IronPigs still observe the occasion.
It’s part of the work that Matthew Bari, vice president of marketing and entertainment for the IronPigs, does to appeal to all baseball fans — old and new.
“What happens on the field we can't control,” Bari said. “But everything that you see around the ballpark — if it's the Coke bottle shooting the fireworks out of it, or the flamethrowers that we have, the mascots, all the entertainment, all the fun theme nights — that's our bread and butter.
“We're in the entertainment business.”Matthew Bari, vice president of marketing and entertainment for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs
“We're in the entertainment business.”
'Best experience for everyone involved'
Bari said Coca-Cola Park this year also will have more than 300 food options “so there's something for everyone."
In addition to the 75 games scheduled this season, there will also be 27 fireworks shows, 30 giveaways and 56 different theme nights.
“We want to make sure that we're giving the best experience for everyone involved," he said, "because what may be good for somebody that comes to their first game, may not be the same for somebody that comes to all 75.”
He said what added to the popularity of the IronPigs is that in addition to free events like Pig Day, the team keeps ticket prices low.
“Tickets out on the lawn are $9 and we have $12 tickets to get into the ballpark," said Bari.
“We're really proud to still be super affordable.”
Mandi Focht, who grew up in the area, said at Pig Day that she enjoys having an alternative to spending time at restaurants or bars.
“My parents love coming, we have friends that come,” she said. “It's just a nice hangout.”
'Looking forward to baseball'
Charlie the pig also had a great time and even played piano for the crowd.
“When it’s time to go, we go and he sleeps the whole way open,” said Chris Hainley, who runs FairyTail Acres The Rescue. “But he enjoys the interaction. He loves the kids.”
The first IronPigs game of the season is an away game against the Rochester Red Wings on March 31.
Bonaskiewich, the man who happened upon Pig Day, said it wasn't the first time being at a baseball event has brought him luck.
At Hersheypark stadium last week, he and his wife, Catherine, decided to see if they could catch a last-minute game.
Not only was there a game playing, they also won free Hersheypark passes.
“It’s a lot of fun looking forward to baseball,” Catherine Bonaskiewich said.
Those who missed Iron Pig Day can buy tickets here.