Monkeys riding dogs, Star Wars, teddy bears, the Green Men and more!

Bakersfield, Calif. – With only 58 days left until the drop of the puck in Condorstown, the Bakersfield Condors are busy preparing the promotional schedule for the 2011-12 season. The first two months of the season are planned out and ready to roll!

It all starts on Opening Night, Saturday, Oct. 15, when the Condors will get to hang another Pacific Division Championship banner from the rafters. The first 3,000 fans 5 and older at the game that night will receive their very own back-to-back division champs banner to hang up at home.

Appearances highlight the beginning portion of the schedule, with quite possibly the most famous NHL fans in the world, The Green Men, making the trek from Vancouver to Condorstown and appearing at the game on Friday, Oct. 28. The following night is Star Wars Night, on Oct. 29, with a visit from stormtroopers, Tie Fighter pilots, jedi, bounty hunters, jawa and other characters from the legendary movies – including Darth Vader himself! On Saturday, Dec. 3, Captain America will be in the house. All characters will be available in the Condors photo booth to pose for pictures with the fans.

Characters for the kids include Yo Gabba Gabba appearing on Friday, Nov. 11 and Pocoyo on Friday, Dec. 9. Also, the much-anticipated performance of the Cowboy Monkey “Team Ghost Rider,” takes place on Dec. 28. Have you ever seen a monkey dressed as a cowboy, riding a dog and herding sheep? Trust us, you don’t want to miss it!

Charity is always a priority in Bakersfield, and no game brings the community together like Teddy Bear Toss does every season in Condorstown. Always Thanksgiving weekend, Teddy Bear Toss takes place Saturday, Nov. 26 against the Ontario Reign. The Project Warm Families Coat Collection takes place on Thursday, Nov. 10. This event has brought in nearly 23,000 coats for those in need in Kern County over the years. The Condors first Jersey Off Our Backs Raffle & Auction is penciled in for Saturday, Nov. 12, with a Veteran’s Day theme. All veterans can get in free to this game as well.

Additionally, the annual Field Trip Day/Businessperson’s Special game drops the puck at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 15.  And we’ll give away Bobblehead t-shirts to the first 2,000 fans 12 and under on Friday, Dec. 2.

“We’re just getting warmed up with our promotions,” said Condors President Matthew Riley. “There are still some details for us to fill up the rest of the schedule, but we’re off to a great start for our group outings and mini-plan holders planning on coming out early in the season. When you have monkeys, dogs, Green Men, Star Wars and teddy bears in your promotional lineup, you know you have the start of something great!”

The remainder of the promotional schedule will be announced at a later date, but here are the promotions lined up already:

Day, Date     Opp    Time        Promotion
Sat, Oct. 15     COL    7 p.m.      Championship Flag Giveaway***
Fri, Oct. 28     IDH     7 p.m.      Schedule Magnet Giveaway^
appearance by The Green Men
Sat, Oct. 29     LV       7 p.m.      Star Wars character appearance
Team Poster Giveaway^
Thu, Nov. 10   IDH    7 p.m.      Warm Families Coat Collection
Fri, Nov. 11     IDH    7 p.m.      Yo Gabba Gabba appearance
Sat, Nov. 12     IDH    7 p.m.     Jersey Off Our Backs(Vet’s Day)””’
Military Free Admission
Tue, Nov. 15    STK   10:30 a.m.  Field Trip Day/
Businessperson’s Special
Sat, Nov. 26    ONT    7 p.m.       Teddy Bear Toss
Fri, Dec. 2       AK       7 p.m.      Bobblehead t-shirts*
Sat, Dec. 3       AK      7 p.m.      appearance by Captain America
Fri, Dec. 9       STK     7 p.m.       Pocoyo Appearance
Wed, Dec. 28   ONT   7 p.m.       Cowboy Monkey
H.S.-College ID Night

^ – everybody receives item
* – first 2,000 fans 12 and under receive item
** – first 2,000 fans 5 and older receive item
*** – first 3,000 fans 5 and older receive item
””’ – 5 grand prize winners

If you followed the Condors on twitter (@Condors), you would have already known about this story. Follow the team throughout the offseason with team news, player signings, promotions and more on twitter and facebook (facebook.com/BakersfieldCondors). Be the first to know!