This weekend, the Phillies return to Citizens Bank Park to take on the Milwaukee Brewers in a three-game series (July 21-23). Below are the top five things to know; plus, prepare for your visit to Citizens Bank Park by checking out What's New at the Ballpark in food, fashion and fandom.
On Friday, July 21, kick-off the weekend at the second annual Grateful Dead Tribute Night benefitting the Rex Foundation, the band's official non-profit charitable arm! Grateful Dead cover band "Laughing Water" will perform pre-game in Ashburn Alley beginning at 5:30 p.m. Also, be on the lookout for the Dancing Bears during the game!
Fans purchasing tickets through the Theme Nights Page will receive an exclusive Phillies Grateful Dead T-shirt giveaway; plus, a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Rex Foundation.
The next #PhilliesSocial is also on Friday, July 21, before and during the 7:05 p.m. Phillies-Brewers game! This special theme night ticket includes batting practice from a special viewing area, a #PhilliesSocial shirt, a game ticket on the Scoreboard Porch and $12 worth of concession credit. Also, #PhilliesSocial attendees are eligible for exclusive pregame and in-game social giveaways. Check out how to join in on the fun here.
Fan-favorite Photo Night returns Saturday, July 22. Get to the ballpark early as fans are invited onto the field (limited field access) to take photos with players, broadcasters, the Phillie Phanatic, Phoebe Phanatic, the Galapagos Gang, Phillies Ballgirls and more! All gates open at 5:05 p.m. before the 7:05 p.m. Phillies game against the Brewers.
Also on Saturday, Latin trumpeter, David Longoria, who is the 2016 Hollywood Music in Media Awards winner for best trumpet dance music, will perform the National Anthem.
Fans can head across the street to XFINITY Live! before Friday's 7:05 p.m. Phillies-Brewers game for the XFINITY Live! Pregame Party. Phillies fun includes a guest appearance by Phillies Alumni Gary "The Sarge" Matthews, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. After EVERY game, the fun continues with XFINITY Live! Post-Game Specials, $3 select drafts and 50% off appetizers, available one hour immediately following the game.
On Saturday, July 22, beginning at 5:05 pm and continuing through the 6th inning of the 7:05 p.m. Phillies game versus the Padres, fans 21 and over are invited to stop by the Budweiser Rooftop at Citizens Bank Park for Bud & Burger Night featuring Budweiser giveaways, entertainment and specials on Budweiser aluminum bottles and draughts. Hollis Thomas from SportsRadio 94WIP will be doing a meet and greet with fans on the Budweiser Rooftop from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
On Sunday, July 23, kids 14 & under will receive a PECO Odubel Herrera Performance T-shirt featuring his signature El Torito nickname at all gates.
Also on Sunday, A.J. Styles, an American professional wrestler and the current WWE United States Champion, will throw out a ceremonial first pitch prior to the 1:35 p.m. Phillies-Brewers game. Styles will also take batting practice before the game! Following the game, Styles will be in one of the featured matches at the Wells Fargo Center for WWE's pay-per-view event, Battleground, starting at 7:30 p.m.
Plus, Miss Philadelphia 2015 Julia Rae will perform God Bless America in the 7^th inning.
Gate Openings: Ashburn Alley opens two hours prior to game time; all gates open one and a half hours prior to game time. Please be aware that on Saturday, July 22, all gates will open at 5:05 p.m.
Fandom: Check-in using Ballpark, Citizens Bank Park's official mobile app, to receive special offers for retail, concessions and more. Fans can bid on signed, new and game-used items in a Phillies Charities, Inc. auction through the Ballpark app starting on Friday, July 21, and ending on Sunday, July 30. Items will be on display at the First Base Gate Plaza on Sunday, July 30. Also, follow the action via @Phillies on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat.
Broadcast: For the most up-to-date TV broadcast schedule, please go to Phillies.com. MLB.TV and SportsRadio 94WIP will host all games during the season. CSN Philly will stream the games, as well as the pre- and post-game shows, on www.csnphilly.com and on the NBC Sports app.
Traffic: Fans should be aware of dual events taking place at the sports complex on Saturday, July 22: in addition to the 7:05 p.m. Phillies-Brewers game, there will also be a Hans Zimmer Concert at the Wells Fargo Center beginning at 8:00 p.m. Log on to www.511pa.com, www.511nj.org or call 511 from any phone to check traffic conditions. Transit services are also available; for a SEPTA schedule please visit www.septa.org.