With another season of Midwest League baseball on the way, the Quad Cities River Bandits announced this week its 2024 promotional schedule, featuring a giveaway, fireworks, or free amusement rides on 65 of the team’s 66 home games.
The fun will include 15 fireworks shows, free Ferris wheel and double-decker carousel rides, bobbleheads, theme nights, and even more affordable family-friendly fun at Modern Woodmen Park in Davenport.
The season kicks off opening night against the South Bend Cubs on Friday, April 5, with deep freeze and magnet schedule giveaways, plus the season’s first post-game fireworks show. Saturday, April 6, features free River Bandits scarfs – the first of 11 premium giveaways on the calendar. Then Sunday, April 7, closes out Opening Weekend with $2 general admission tickets for military members and their families, pre-game player autographs, kids run the bases, and another magnet schedule giveaway.
The Bandits’ home, Modern Woodmen Park, still is asking for the public’s help in winning the “Best Minor League Ballpark” as part of the USA TODAY 10Best 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards.
Voting is open through 10:59 p.m., Monday, March 11. To vote online in the “Best Minor League Ballpark” contest go here. Voting is open to the public with no sign-up required. Fans are allowed to vote once per day, per browser. Winners will be announced on 10Best on Friday, March 22.
“This year’s promotional schedule is our biggest and best ever,” River Bandits owner Dave Heller said in a news release. “We have packed it with fun and filled the calendar with more giveaways, free stuff, free rides, and fireworks than ever before. I challenged our team to do more for our great fans and they have answered the challenge. There are more reasons for our great fans to come to Modern Woodmen Park than ever before. Look out, 2024 could be our best season ever.”
Along with returning fan-favorites, including 10 pint glass and three super soft T-shirts, the River Bandits are giving away a new batch of can’t-miss merchandise in 2024, such as a beanie cap (April 20), premium car shade (May 11), crossbody bag (June 15), and the team’s biggest pennant collection ever, with 11 unique logos and designs to collect all summer long.
In addition, theme nights return to Modern Woodmen Park with Christmas in July (July 2) and Halloween with the Bandits (Aug. 25).
This season’s four bobbleheads continue to celebrate the over 400 Major League players whose careers passed through the Quad Cities, with 2022 All-Star Joe Musgrove (July 13), two-time Gold Glover Kolten Wong (July 27), two-time All-Star and 2022 World Series Champion Framber Valdez, and three-time All-Star Matt Carpenter (Sept. 7) ready to hit fan’s shelves.
The River Bandits are once again excited to support local nonprofits with proceeds from game-worn jersey auctions benefiting Vera French on Mental Health Awareness Night (May 31) and Disabilities Empowerment Night (July 13). On Sept. 7, the team is also offering free amusement rides for veterans, reservists, and active-duty military.
A complete list of dates for all giveaways and weekly promotions can be found below, in the 2024 pocket schedule, and at riverbandits.com.
