Orioles Expand Community Events Schedule at Ed Smith Stadium for 2016-17

The year-round schedule of events at Ed Smith Stadium continues to expand as the Orioles reprise popular public events and add new community-centered gatherings.
"We're excited to expand the public event schedule at Ed Smith Stadium in partnership with a wide variety of community organizations," said David Rovine, Vice President of Orioles-Sarasota. "Civic groups, charities, and performing arts organizations enjoy the novelty offered by the ballpark setting and the opportunity to draw a different and often larger crowd than they may typically attract."
First up this fall, the Orioles and Sarasota County will invite the public to the second Howl-O-Ween Movie Night Spooktacular on October 15. Guests will enjoy a free evening of fun, safe activities, including a family-friendly movie.
The Orioles will host two charitable events to fight hunger in Sarasota around the Thanksgiving holiday. On November 13, the Orioles will join with All Faiths Food Bank to host the annual Bowls of Hope fundraiser. Tickets are available at www.allfaithsfoodbank.org/bowlsofhope. Each spring, the Orioles collect food items and monetary donations during the All Faiths Food Drive at Ed Smith Stadium. In six years, the food drive has collected more than 4,200 pounds of food and more than $6,000 to help the hungry. Additionally, the Orioles will again welcome the Mayors Feed the Hungry sorting day to Ed Smith Stadium on November 18. The all-volunteer organization collects and distributes donated food to families in time for Thanksgiving. More information is available at www.mayorsfeedthehungry.org.
On December 4, the Orioles will once again host "Run for the Birds" to benefit Save Our Seabirds. The event features one-mile and 5K races. Interested runners can learn more at www.saveourseabirds.org.
In May 2017, the Sarasota YMCA will bring its signature fundraiser, the Go for the Gold Gala, to Ed Smith Stadium for the first time. Also in May, the Sarasota Orchestra, responding to public demand, will add a second performance of its wildly popular Outdoor Pops event at the ballpark.
In addition to adding more arts and community events, the Orioles are continuing to grow the sports tourism impact of baseball tournaments at both Ed Smith and the Buck O'Neil Baseball Complex at Twin Lakes Park.
"The Orioles' facilities are becoming the year-round centers of community activity that the ballclub envisioned when we located Major League Spring Training operations in Sarasota County," Rovine said.
Whether hosting youth activities, participating in charitable causes or partnering in efforts to boost the local economy, the Orioles are active in Sarasota County all year long, proving that their commitment to the club's southern home goes far beyond baseball. For more information, visit www.orioles.com/sarasota.