GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Grand Rapids Griffins will feature one-of-a-kind giveaways, nationally-known performing acts and the return of many popular season-long events as part of their 2011-12 promotional schedule.

The puck drops at Van Andel Arena on Friday, Oct. 14 with Opening Night presented by Xfinity, featuring a Glow Bams giveaway, a post-game fireworks show and the first of many J&H Family Stores post-game open skates.

Single-game tickets for the opener, as well as all 38 of the Griffins’ regular season home games, will go on sale to the general public this Saturday, Sept. 24 at 10 a.m. Advance ticket prices are $14, $16 and $18 in the arena’s upper level, and $18, $22, $26 and $32 in the lower level. (Additional $2 per ticket on day of game.) For Sunday-Thursday games, a limited number of advance-purchase, upper level tickets will go on sale for just $8 one week prior to each contest.

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;
• Online through griffinshockey.com;
• By phone through Star Tickets at 1-800-585-3737.

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 10- or 20-game partial season ticket plan or flex package. These plans, along with full-season and group ticket packages, may be ordered through the Griffins’ office at (800) 2-HOCKEY.

Back by popular demand, three performing acts will return to Van Andel Arena for a second straight year. Quick Change (Nov. 5) and the Russian Bar Trio (March 31) both gained fame on America’s Got Talent, while the ZOOperstars (Jan. 21) are a hit at arenas across North America. In addition, Dan Dunn’s Paintjam (Feb. 18) will feature a one-of-a-kind speed painting act seen on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

The Griffins’ series of unique giveaways will be highlighted by bobbleheads of Niklas Kronwall (Feb. 4) and Brendan Smith (Feb. 12), a Greg Amadio (March 31) bobblefist giveaway, and a “Be Your Own Bobblehead” T-Shirt giveaway (Nov. 27).

Other promotional giveaways include a Clingz schedule (Oct. 28), team calendar (Nov. 5), key ring bottle opener (Nov. 18), coaster set (Nov. 19), team poster (Dec. 31), fleece hockey helmet (Jan. 21), playing cards (Feb. 11) and barbeque set (March 17), as well as three different rally towels: a patriotic rally towel for Salute to Heroes and Scout Night (Dec. 3), a rally towel for the Community for the Cure Purple Game (Feb. 18), and a Griffins rally towel on the season finale (April 13).

Key promotional dates include the Halloween costume party (Oct. 28), the 11th Annual Matinee Game (Nov. 9), the Teddy Bear Toss (Nov. 25), the 15th Annual New Year’s Eve Celebration (Dec. 31), Hockey Day in West Michigan (Feb. 4), the Community for the Cure Purple Game (Feb. 18), Star Wars Night (March 3), and Fan Appreciation Day (April 13).

The popular Dollar Beers and Hot Dogs promotion returns in conjunction with College Night for all 16 Friday home games this season, allowing fans to enjoy $1 hot dogs and $1 domestic drafts from 6-8 p.m., while supplies last. Several other recurring promotions will be featured throughout the Griffins’ schedule, including nine Winning Wednesdays presented by Amway, 12 J&H Family Stores post-game open skates, and seven Huntington Bank post-game autograph sessions with select Griffins players.

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

2011-12 PROMOTIONAL SCHEDULE

Oct. 14: Opening Night presented by Xfinity
• Glow Bam Giveaway
• Dollar Beers and Hot Dogs
• Post-game fireworks
• J&H Family Stores post-game open skate

Oct. 28: Halloween Costume Party
• Clingz Schedule Giveaway
• Dollar Beers and Hot Dogs

Nov. 5: Griffins Calendar Giveaway presented by Delta Imports
• Quick Change – Performers featured on America’s Got Talent
• J&H Family Stores post-game open skate
• Huntington Bank post-game autograph session

Nov. 9: 11th Annual Matinee Game presented by Lake Michigan Credit Union
• Interactive and educational displays throughout the concourse for elementary and high school students

Nov. 18: Key Ring Bottle Opener Giveaway
• Dollar Beers and Hot Dogs

Nov. 19: Griffins Coaster Giveaway presented by Nordic Hot Tubs
• J&H Family Stores post-game open skate
• Huntington Bank post-game autograph session

Nov. 25: Teddy Bear Toss
• Dollar Beers and Hot Dogs

Nov. 27: Mascot Mania
• Griffins Give Back
• “Be Your Own Bobblehead” T-Shirt Giveaway – First 1,500 kids 12 and under
• J&H Family Stores post-game open skate

Dec. 3: Salute to Heroes and Scout Night presented by Centennial Securities
• Patriotic Rally Towel Giveaway
• Huntington Bank post-game autograph session

Dec. 31: 15th Annual New Year’s Eve Celebration
• Team Poster Giveaway
• Jersey Auction #1 – Annual jersey design contest winner
• Post-game fireworks
• J&H Family Stores post-game open skate

Jan. 20: Super Fan Cameron Hughes
• Dollar Beers and Hot Dogs

Jan. 21: Fleece Hockey Helmet Giveaway presented by MetroPCS
• ZOOperstars
• Jersey Auction #2

Jan. 21-22: Annual Great Skate Winterfest at Rosa Parks Circle in Downtown Grand Rapids

Feb. 4: Hockey Day in West Michigan presented by Lake Michigan Credit Union
• Niklas Kronwall Bobblehead Giveaway
• J&H Family Stores post-game open skate
• Huntington Bank post-game autograph session

Feb. 11: Griffins Playing Card Giveaway presented by J&H Family Stores
• J&H Family Stores post-game open skate

Feb. 12: Brendan Smith Bobblehead Giveaway presented by Michigan Office Solutions
• J&H Family Stores post-game open skate
• Huntington Bank post-game autograph session

Feb. 18: Community for the Cure Purple Game presented by Van Andel Institute
• Rally Towel Giveaway
• Paintjam with Dan Dunn – One-of-a-kind speed painter
• Jersey Auction #3
• Huntington Bank post-game autograph session

March 3: Star Wars Night
• J&H Family Stores post-game open skate

March 17: Griffins BBQ Set Giveaway presented by Comerica Bank
• Jersey Auction #4 – Annual jersey design contest winner
• J&H Family Stores post-game open skate
• Huntington Bank post-game autograph session

March 31: Greg Amadio Bobblefists Giveaway presented by Appletree Christian Learning Centers
• Russian Bar Trio – Circus Act featured on America’s Got Talent
• J&H Family Stores post-game open skate

April 13: Season Finale presented by Huntington Bank
• “Beat Chicago” Rally Towel Giveaway
• Jersey Auction #5
• Dollar Beers and Hot Dogs
• J&H Family Stores post-game open skate

SEASON-LONG PROMOTIONS

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

Get in the D-ZONE: Every Friday night is a Griffins WGRD D-Zone night. Avoid the concession lines and get your $1 beers and $1 hot dogs served to you in your seats! Call 774-4585 ext. 2 or visit griffinshockey.com/dzone to get your tickets today!

College Nights: Every Friday, college students can show their ID to purchase a lower bowl ticket for $13 (or $11 in advance at The Zone) and stop by the McFadden's concourse table to receive a free pass to the post-game party at McFadden's.

Free Ride Friday on The Rapid: Ride the Rapid to and from any Friday game and enjoy a complimentary fare by showing your ticket to that night’s game. Visit ridetherapid.org for schedule information, routes and maps.

Wednesday is Hockey Night: After every Wednesday home game from December through February, show your ticket to that night’s game to receive great food and drink specials at participating Arena District restaurants and bars. Visit griffinshockey.com/hockeynight for a list of participating restaurants (subject to change).

Winning Wednesday presented by Amway: Every time the Griffins win at home on Wednesday, each fan in attendance will receive a free ticket to the next Wednesday game. Additionally, the first 200 fans to visit the Amway table in Section A will receive a free t-shirt.

Sunday is Fun Day!: Every Sunday, enjoy $1 Cole’s Breadsticks and $1 Pepsi drinks from 4-6 p.m. Enjoy live music from Jaded 8 and the J&H Family Stores Post-Game Skate.

Senior Sunday: Every Sunday, fans 55 and older with ID can purchase a Lower Level Center Ice ticket for $15 and play bingo in the arena banquet room from 4-5 p.m. Visit griffinshockey.com/senior for more information.

Library Nights: For every Sunday and Wednesday game, fans can present their Grand Rapids Public Library card or Kent District Library card at the Van Andel Arena box office on the night of the game or at The Zone anytime during the store’s regular business hours to save $7 off the price of a Lower Level Faceoff ticket (regularly $18 in advance and $20 day of game). Limit four tickets per card per person, subject to availability.

Fan 4 Packs: For select games, receive four tickets and $12 in concession cash for a great low price. Valid for games on Nov. 5 and 19; Dec. 3; Jan. 21; Feb. 11; and March 17 and 31. Visit griffinshockey.com/f4p or call (616) 774-4585 ext. 2.

J&H Family Stores Post-Game Skates: Oct. 14; Nov. 5, 19 and 27; Dec. 31; Feb. 4, 11 and 12; March 3, 17 and 31; and April 13.

Huntington Bank Post-Game Autograph Sessions: Nov. 5 and 19; Dec. 3; Feb. 4, 12 and 18; and March 17.

MOS Corner Office presented by Michigan Office Solutions: Located on the terrace level above section 118, this section provides the best seats in the house for groups of up to 30 people, with La-Z-Boy chairs and an array of amenities. Call (616) 774-4585.

All promotions and dates subject to change.