Red Wings begin nine-game homestand on Thursday

ROCHESTER — The Red Wings will return from the All-Star break to open a huge nine-game homestand on Thursday — the longest homestand of the season.

The big homecoming includes five autograph appearances, five giveaways, three fireworks displays, a pair of post-game concerts and a partridge in a pear tree — or Christmas in July, as the team is calling it.

Thursday’s game vs. the Norfolk Tides will include a Stan Cliburn autograph session. Cliburn, who skippered the Wings from 2006-2009 will sign autographs from 6 – 6:45 p.m. before the 7:05 game. A “select Red-Wings player” will also sign autographs from 6:10 – 6:45 p.m.

The first 2,000 attendees to the Thursday game will be given a poster which includes team photos of both the IL and PCL squads from the 2000 Triple-A All-Star Game. A fan 4-pack is available for $36 in advance or $40 on gameday. It includes four reserved seats, four hot dogs, four 12-ounce sodas and a 2016 yearbook.

Friday’s 6:05 p.m. game, also with the Orioles farm club Tides, features a post game concert by the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and fireworks — both included with a game ticket. Prior to the game, there will be an autograph session with NFL Hall of Famer Thurman Thomas from 5 – 5:30 p.m. A select Red Wings player will also sign autographs from 5:10 – 5:35 p.m.

Saturday’s 6:05 p.m. game, again against the Tides, features a post-game concert with country star Joe Nichols and post-game fireworks. It’s Military Appreciation Night and the Wings will be wearing their military-themed uniforms. A pre-game Wings-player autograph session will be from 5:10 – 5:35 p.m.

Sunday is the final game of the stand against Norfolk. It’s First-Responders Day and thousands of police, fire and EMS workers will be attending the game free of charge, courtesy of Genesee Valley Motors. Pre-game autographs are from 12:40 to 1:05 p.m. with first pitch at 1:35 p.m. Kids 14 and under can run the bases after the game with Spikes and Mittsy.

Next week includes an autograph session with Darryl Talley on Monday before the 7:05 game vs. the Durham Bulls, Christmas in July at the July 19 game, $1 hot dogs during the July 20 game, an autograph session with Pete Rose before the July 21 game vs. the Syracuse Chiefs, and an appearance by Mitch Williams before the July 22 game.