Saturday, January 23 we enjoyed a truly exciting day with the Boston Red Sox and their loyal fans for their second annual #SoxWinterWeekend at Foxwoods Resort Casino! This is a 3-day one-of-a-kind baseball fan fest not offered by any other MLB franchise. It’s designed “to bring fans of all ages together to interact first hand with players of today and the legends from the past … a chance to hear directly from Red Sox ownership and the management, leaders in the clubhouse and front office,” said Sam Kennedy, President.
The World Series Trophies along with the real Silver Sluggers and Gold Gloves of past and present were available for endless photos. Meet & Greets were extremely popular – one to each pass holder – for photos and autographs. Make sure to bring your new balls and Sharpies with you! Although new pitcher David Price didn’t make it to CT after all, Dustin Pedroia and a majority of the current Red Sox team participated. Former players Wade Boggs, Roger Clemens, Billy Conigliaro, Dennis Eckersley, Dwight Evans, Sam Horn, Bruce Hurst, Fred Lynn, Steve Lyons, Pedro Martinez, Jim Rice, Luis Tiant and Jason Varitek were also present.
This is truly a family experience – it’s for the kids as much as the adults! Watch the video on NESN Clubhouse during one of the many panel discussions “Kids Grill Red Sox Players With Tough Questions.”
Kids activities weren’t an after-thought, in a small off-to-side area with an inflatable batting cage … no, no the large Premier Ballroom hosted Wiffle Ball, Pitching Cage, Steal Home Challenge. The Team store was the only small feature. The NESN Zone offered three different broadcast opportunities for kids including an audition to be on the Emmy Award-winning NESN Clubhouse! Also, live reporting took place on a completely accessible stage. WEEI Boston Sports News also joined the action.
Plus the “Social Media Lounge,” located across from Ben & Jerry’s and Munson’s Chocolates!, touted a photo booth, video games, and the actual Fenway Park balloon and caricature artists at no additional charge. Big League Brian (Yawkey Way stilt walker), Wally the Green Monster, his parents, and newly introduced sister Tessie all shared their spirit with us throughout the entire weekend.
This summer’s single game tickets for June, July, and August were also sold in advance of the public sale on January 30, with the exclusion of games against the New York Yankees. A relaxation couch area with charging station and Beer Garden topped it off for parents to chill while kids were safely supervised by a large number of college interns.
Sunday Breakfast with Wally fuels your family up before the strenuous Kids Clinics, 1 1/2 hours each, from 9:15 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. with the Coaches and Alumni.
Baseball Winter Weekend is also a time to meet and hang out with other fans from around many states. Families made this a special get-away destination despite Jonas Blizzard (hotel rooms were booked for a 20-mile radius!). We recommend you put it on your family’s calendar for next January – tickets are sold online only by the Red Sox beginning in November (hotels packages available). It is very much worth it — a truly memorable event presented by the friendly staff of the Red Sox and hospitable Foxwoods!
Foxwoods felt more like a family resort or private sports event complex than a casino to us given the spaces where the Winter Weekend is held: the Grand Theater, the Celebrity Ballroom, and the Premier Ballroom. The quaint outdoor skating rink was closed due to the snow storm but there is plenty for families to enjoy together or separate starting with the Tanger Outlet stores, a Hard Rock Cafe, The Tree House arcade offering games the parents grew up and new ones you can play with your kids. The unique and educational Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center is a nice way to end the weekend on Sunday after the ball game is over.
Here’s the adjectives used some Red Sox Nation members: “Wicked Awesome! You get to connect with the team and feel like you’re a part of it!” ~ almost 14 year old boy Super Sox Fan; “very good…fun, nice! You meet real players!”~ 12 year girl; Mom enjoyed much more than expected: “Connecticut is privileged to host this event, to have this genuine opportunity for the family. Way cool!”
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