MEET ME AT THE BALLPARK, CHARLIE BROWN!
MAY 28TH IS "IT'S YOUR TOWN, CHARLIE BROWN" DAY
PRESENTED BY COCA-COLA & ROUND TABLE PIZZA FOR THE SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
First 10,000 Kids, 14 & Younger, Receive a Specially Created Charlie Brown Bobblehead
San Francisco, CA (March 29, 2005) - Batter Up, Charlie Brown! The San Francisco Giants are hosting a Peanuts theme day entitled "It's Your Town, Charlie Brown" presented by Coca-Cola and Round Table Pizza at the Giants' May 28th home game versus the San Diego Padres at SBC Park. The fun-filled day will feature appearances by Charlie Brown and Snoopy, as well as a specially created Charlie Brown bobblehead, which will be given away to the first 10,000 kids, 14 and younger, who enter the ballpark.
The decision to host the "It's Your Town, Charlie Brown" Day at SBC Park was made by the Giants to celebrate this summer's tribute to Charles M. Schulz in Santa Rosa, California, where the Peanuts creator lived and worked for almost 45 years. Modeled after the successful Peanuts on Parade program in Schulz's hometown of St. Paul, MN, 55 Charlie Brown statues, honoring the 55th anniversary of Peanuts and uniquely painted by local artists, will adorn the Northern Californian community. At the end of the summer, a live auction will be held and proceeds will go toward local artist scholarships, as well as to the creation and installation of permanent bronze Peanuts figures for the Charles M. Schulz Airport in Santa Rosa.
Adding to the popular baseball team's support of "It's Your Town, Charlie Brown," the Giants have sponsored two Charlie Brown statues. One statue, which will be signed by the team, will be donated to the Santa Rosa project's live auction, and the second statue will remain in permanent residence at SBC Park.
"The Schulz family is so pleased to have the Giants host this special day at SBC Park. Charlie Brown and my father have both been huge Giants fans since the Mays-McCovey days of the 1960's," said Craig Schulz, son of Peanuts creator Charles Schulz. "We are thrilled to be able to team-up with the Giants to give away 10,000 Charlie Brown bobbleheads dressed in the team's well-known black and orange uniforms. And who better to sponsor the day than Coca-Cola and Round Table Pizza, my two favorite food groups."
"What is more All-American than baseball and Charlie Brown. The Giants began working with Mr. Schulz back in the 1960s when he featured Willie Mays in many of his baseball-themed strips. It is an honor for us to continue this relationship with his family and to pay tribute to a man who has provided so many of us with a special Peanuts memory. To see Charlie Brown in his very own Giants jersey and cap just makes me smile," said Larry Baer, Giants executive vice president and chief operating officer.
The Power of Peanuts
Peanuts is unparalleled in the entertainment industry and a unique force across all media - newspaper, television, video, music, books, web and theater. Peanuts boasts an indelible and enduring cast of characters, including Snoopy, Linus, Lucy and Good Ol' Charlie Brown, who was named one of the 200 Greatest Pop Culture Icons by People Magazine and VH1 in 2003. Over 70 television specials, 1,400 book titles and more than 18,000 strips celebrate numerous themes (holidays, school days, baseball, friendship), countless poses (Lucy holding the football, Snoopy lying atop his doghouse), and well-known expressions ("Good Grief!," "happiness is a warm puppy," "security blanket") that have become part of the American - indeed global - vocabulary. Peanuts is licensed and syndicated by United Media.
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants of the National League are one of the oldest franchises in Major League Baseball. Boasting a 122-year history, they moved to San Francisco from New York in 1958 playing a total of 42 years in Seals Stadium and Candlestick Park before moving into their current home at SBC Park in 2000. Since moving into SBC Park, with its breathtaking views, classic design and downtown location, it has been called home by the newest member of baseball's exclusive "700 Club", seven-time National League MVP and 2001 Home-Run King Barry Bonds, the 2003 National League West Division Champions, the 2002 National League Champions, and the 2000 National League West Division Champions. Off the field, the Giants boast one of the premier community outreach programs in professional sports becoming the first team to implement a 100 percent participation program, involving every player, coach and uniformed staff member in at least one community project throughout the season. Through its community outreach programs, the Giants work with corporate and non-profit partners to raise awareness, educate and generate interest in a variety of issues important to both their fans and community.
