Sports
Hockey is Back; Lightning Schedules Fan Fest
Pending ratification of the tentative collective bargaining agreement, Tampa Bay Lightning has scheduled a Fan Fest for Sunday starting at 9 a.m.
The Tampa Bay Lightning will welcome fans back to the Tampa Bay Times Forum with Fan Fest this Sunday, Jan. 14, pending ratification of the tentative collective bargaining agreement recently agreed upon by the National Hockey League and the National Hockey League Players Association.
As the team prepares to open its landmark 20th NHL season, it invites fans to help celebrate at the free 2013 Lightning Fan Fest.
The doors will open at 9 a.m. Fans should park in either the Forum East or Forum West Lot and enter through the main entrance.
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Lightning players will sign autographs for fans from 10-11 a.m. They will then head back to the locker room and get ready as coach Guy Boucher leads the first practice of the season from 12:30-2 p.m.
Between the autograph session and practice, there will be commentary provided by Bolts management, coaches and broadcasters. ThunderBug and the Lightning Girls also will be on hand.
Season Ticket Members will receive a number of benefits just by wearing their STM jersey. They will receive free parking as well as exclusive autograph opportunities on the Club Level.
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Fan Fest is also a great opportunity for Season Ticket Members to redeem their loyalty and rewards program benefits or pick up their STM jersey if they haven't done so already.
In addition to meeting the team and watching the first practice of the season, those in attendance will have the first opportunity to purchase single-game tickets. They will receive 50 percent off select Lightning merchandise at open merchandise stores throughout the event, have access to food and drink specials and a chance to enter contests.
The Lightning will be hosting a 20th Anniversary Warehouse Sale with game-used equipment to benefit community hockey, and those in attendance will get their first look at the Times Forum's new $5 million center-hung scoreboard, the largest in an arena in the United States or Canada.
There will also be a kids' zone where ThunderBug will take photos with members of his Kids Club (free to sign up).
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