Charleston RiverDogs will open season with aerial acrobats

The Charleston RiverDogs, recognized throughout professional baseball for their zany ballgame promotions, continue the tradition in 2012.

The Opening Day Extravaganza at Riley Park on Thursday will feature a Cirque de ?Soleil theme with aerial acrobats performing on the field and street performers throughout the ballpark. Fans will receive free magnet schedules that?include a RiverDogs car magnet. The season opener will also be a Budweiser Thirsty Thursday.

Other highlights include:
April 7: All-Star Cap Giveaway — the first 1,000 fans will receive this limited-edition cap that features the 2012 South?Atlantic League All-Star Game logo.

April 21: RiverDogs Long Sleeve T-Shirt Giveaway — ?presented by The Association for the Blind for the first 1,000 fans.

May 5: Charlie, Chelsea and Bark Toothbrush Holder Giveaway/Team Ghost Riders Giveaway for the first 1,000 fans as well as the Lowcountry debut of Team Ghost Riders, a cowboy monkey rodeo routine in which monkeys riding dogs herd farm animals. You won’t want to miss this extraordinary event with in-game and post-game performances.

May 19: RiverDogs Tube Socks Giveaway — coincides with the Run, Forrest, Run 5K, and the first 1,000 fans will head home with retro RiverDogs tube socks.

May 26: Charlie Pillow Pet Case Giveaway — the first 1,000 fans will receive an unstuffed Charlie T. RiverDog pillow pet that will no doubt be one of this year’s hot giveaway items.

June 19: South Atlantic League All-Star Game — the 53rd annual SAL All-Star Game returns to Charleston for the first time since 2004. Come see the league’s top prospects put their skills on display at The Joe.

July 28: Salute Your Jorts — Jorts Giveaway — join us as we pay homage to the jean short and give away faux jorts to the first 1,000 fans.

Aug. 11: Bark Boxer Shorts Giveaway — gives fans the?opportunity to take home their very own pair of blue polka-dotted boxer shorts as made famous by Bark, the inflatable palmetto tree mascot.

Aug. 18: Charlie T. RiverDog Slipper Giveaway — keep your dogs warm with these one-of-a — kind slippers that features the head of our lovable canine mascot Charlie. The first 1,000 fans will receive the slippers.

Aug. 19: Inflatamaniacs ?Return — a performance that brings laughs to fans of all ages as the inflatable crew brings their unique brand of hijinks to The Joe for the second straight year.

Aug. 28: Bobblection 2012 — will allow the first 1,000 fans to make their selection of presidential bobbles. This promotion has correctly predicted the winners of each of the last two presidential elections, and this year Bobblection has grown to include not only the other teams in The Goldklang Group but many other teams throughout the SAL and country. This rare Tuesday giveaway will be a straw poll one can accurately count on.