GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – John McCain and Barack Obama bobbleheads, the return of Dollar Beers and Dogs, and a host of new giveaways and celebrity appearances highlight the Grand Rapids Griffins’ promotional schedule for the 2008-09 season.

The festivities begin on Saturday, Oct. 25 with the Opening Night Celebration presented by Northwest Airlines WorldPerks®, as the Griffins look to extend their remarkable opening-night sellout streak to 13 years. The first 5,000 fans will receive LED Thundersticks, and an extended pre-game show will celebrate the former Griffins who won the 2008 Stanley Cup as members of the Detroit Red Wings.

Single-game tickets for the home opener, along with all 40 of the Griffins’ regular season home games at Van Andel Arena, will go on sale to the general public this Saturday, Sept. 20 at 10 a.m. Ticket prices remain unchanged from last season: $13 and $15 in the arena’s upper bowl, and $17, $20 and $25 in the lower bowl. A limited number of advanced purchase, upper bowl tickets also go on sale for just $5 two weeks prior to each game.

Griffins tickets can be purchased in advance of game night through the following methods (all purchases subject to a convenience charge):
• In person at The Zone at Van Andel Arena;
• In person at Star Tickets outlets, including all Meijer stores;
• By phone through Star Tickets at 1-800-585-3737;
• Online through a link at griffinshockey.com.

On game night, tickets may be purchased without a convenience charge at the Van Andel Arena box office, beginning 90 minutes before game time. Fans who attend multiple games can avoid charges and receive a discount from the single-game price by purchasing a five-, 10- or 20-game mini plan. These plans, along with full season and group ticket packages, may be ordered through the Griffins’ office at (800) 2-HOCKEY.

The Griffins’ early-season promotional schedule will be highlighted by “Bobble the Vote ‘08” on Saturday, Nov. 1 -- three days before Election Day -- with a giveaway of John McCain and Barack Obama bobbleheads that depict each candidate in a Griffins jersey. One thousand bobbleheads of each candidate will be available to fans, who will select their favorite upon entering the arena. The first candidate to run out of bobbleheads wins!

Other new giveaways for 2008-09 include limited edition figurines of Darren McCarty (Dec. 20) and Valtteri Filppula (Jan. 10), along with a series of five Jersey Card Nights, featuring trading cards of Griffins players that have a piece of a game-worn sweater inserted into the card.

The Griffins’ ever-popular docket of celebrity appearances includes Hannah Montana’s Emily Osment (Dec. 6), Detroit Tigers legend Jack Morris (Feb. 21), and Sgt. Slaughter of pro wrestling fame (Nov. 28).

Other key promotional dates include the Eighth Annual Matinee Game presented by Lake Michigan Credit Union (Nov. 11), the Teddy Bear Toss (Nov. 29), and the Griffins’ 12th Annual New Year’s Eve Celebration.

After a wildly popular debut last year, the Dollar Beers and Dogs promotion returns for all 15 Friday home games this season. Fans can enjoy $1 hot dogs and $1 domestic drafts from 6-8 p.m., while supplies last. Several other recurring promotions will also be featured throughout the Griffins’ schedule, including Winning Wednesdays, 14 O’Charley’s Post-Game O’pen Skates, and 10 post-game autograph sessions with Griffins players.

All promotions and dates are subject to changes. For more information, visit griffinshockey.com or call (800) 2-HOCKEY.

2008-09 PROMOTIONAL SCHEDULE

Oct. 25: Opening Night Celebration presented by Northwest Airlines WorldPerks®
• LED Thundersticks to the first 5,000 fans
• Special pre-game show to honor “Stanley Cup Champions: Raised in Grand Rapids!”

Oct. 26: Pink at the Rink presented by Susan G. Komen for the Cure Grand Rapids

Nov. 1: Bobble the Vote ‘08
• John McCain and Barack Obama bobblehead giveaway (1,000 of each)

Nov. 11: Eighth Annual Matinee Game presented by Lake Michigan Credit Union
• Health and wellness theme for elementary and high school students
• Griffins player card strip #1 to the first 5,000 fans

Nov. 26: Winning Wednesday
• Griffins player card strip #2 to the first 5,000 fans

Nov. 28: Salute to Heroes Night presented by the U.S. ARMY
• Appearance by Sgt. Slaughter
• Dollar Beers and Dogs

Nov. 29: Teddy Bear Toss for charity

Dec. 5: Jersey Card Night #1 presented by Competitive Edge Skate Detailing
• Griffins jersey card to the first 1,500 fans
• Dollar Beer and Dogs

Dec. 6: Hannah Montana’s Emily Osment presented by Lighthouse Insurance Group

Dec. 19: Dollar Beers and Dogs
• Griffins player card strip #3 to the first 5,000 fans

Dec. 20: Darren McCarty “Hat Trick” Figurine Giveaway (2,500 fans*) presented by Great Lakes Chrysler/Jeep Dealers

Dec. 31: 12th Annual New Year’s Eve Celebration presented by Comcast

Jan. 9: Griffins Team Poster Giveaway (first 5,000 fans) presented by Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan
• Dollar Beers and Dogs

Jan. 10: Valtteri Filppula “Superman” Figurine Giveaway (2,500 fans*) presented by Centennial Securities

Jan. 16: Griffins European Scarf Giveaway (2,500 fans*) presented by Comerica Bank
• Dollar Beers and Dogs

Jan. 23: Dollar Beers and Dogs
• Griffins player card strip #4 to the first 5,000 fans

Jan. 24: Detroit Red Wings Celebrity Appearance presented by Aquinas College
• Red Wings fan favorite Karen Newman to perform National Anthem

Jan. 30: Jersey Card Night #2 presented by One Communications
• Griffins jersey card to the first 1,500 fans
• Dollar Beers and Dogs

Jan. 31: Wide World of Sports
• Special appearance by the ZOOperstars

Feb. 7: Jersey Card Night #3 presented by Emerald Leisure Source
• Griffins jersey card to the first 1,500 fans

Feb. 21: Detroit Tigers Legend Jack Morris presented by Lake Michigan Credit Union

Feb. 22: Jersey Card Night #4
• Griffins jersey card to the first 1,500 fans

March 11: Winning Wednesday
• Griffins player card strip #5 to the first 5,000 fans

March 14: Faith & Family Night/Griffins Tin Lunch Box Giveaway (first 2,500 fans) presented by Bethany Christian Services and Appletree Christian Learning Centers

March 15: Jersey Card Night #5 presented by Independent Bank
• Griffins jersey card to the first 1,500 fans
• Mascot Mania

March 21: Fan Vote Bobblehead Giveaway (2,500 fans*)
• Star Wars Night

April 10: Season Finale Celebration presented by Great Lakes Chrysler/Jeep Dealers
• Dollar Beers and Dogs

SEASON-LONG PROMOTIONS

Dollar Beers and Dogs: Every Friday, enjoy $1 hot dogs and $1 domestic drafts from 6-8 p.m., while supplies last.

Get Pumped!: For select games, receive a special ticket discount based on the national average price of a gallon of gasoline. Valid for tickets in sections 101, 102 and 128 on Nov. 7; Dec. 19 and 26; Jan. 9 and 23; Feb. 6 and 20; and March 20.

Winning Wednesday: Every time the Griffins win at home on Wednesday, each fan in attendance will receive a free ticket to the next Wednesday game.

Family 4 Pack: For select games, receive four tickets and four $5 concession vouchers for a great low price. Valid for games on Oct. 26, Nov. 29, Dec. 27, Jan. 30, Feb. 22, March 15 and April 10. Call (616) 774-4585.

Library Nights: Every Friday, fans who present a public library card (Grand Rapids Public Library or Kent District Library) at the arena box office can purchase a lower bowl ticket for $10 (limit four tickets per card).

College Nights presented by McFadden’s Restaurant & Saloon: Every Friday, college students can visit the arena box office to purchase a lower bowl ticket for $10 (valid college ID required) and attend the official post-game party at McFadden’s.

O’Charley’s Post-Game O’pen Skates: Oct. 25; Nov. 1; Nov. 29; Dec. 6, 20 and 27; Jan. 10, 24 and 31; Feb. 7 and 22; March 14 and 21; April 10.

Post-Game Autograph Sessions: Oct. 25; Nov. 1 and 28; Dec. 6, 26 and 27; Jan. 24 and 31; Feb. 6 and 22.

* Guaranteed Giveaway Night for all full-season ticket holders in attendance.

All promotions and dates subject to change.