Can you believe it’s that time of year again? After a series of ups and downs, some more downs, another up, and then a final down, the last seven months are out the door and it’s time for the real fun – the playoffs!
One of the downsides of not living in the area is missing out on the feeling that runs through a town when a team is in the postseason. Seeing more Lightning hats or t-shirts around. The banners on the lightposts downtown and around Amalie always would put an extra jump in my step when I lived down there. So, if you live in the area, make sure you take time from hyperventilating between shifts to enjoy this run.
In order to get the hype train going the Tampa Bay Lightning have several playoff initiatives (they call them “activations”) over the weekend and into next week. Per a press release sent out yesterday, he is what they are doing around the Tampa Bay area:
Lightning Playoff Scavenger Hunt:
The hunt will run from Friday the 14th to Wednesday the 19th and if you’re willing to wander around the area completing various tasks you could win a prize pack that includes tickets to the first home playoff game, a team-signed Reverse Retro jersey, and other prizes. It looks like you will need to download their new app.
Bolts Brunch and Playoff Beer Crawl:
On Saturday the 15th, starting at Yeoman’s Topgolf Swing Suites and rolling through downtown Tampa you have a chance to partake in drink specials and acquire Lightning swag. It runs from 12:00-8:00 PM and you can sign up here.
Hyde Park Playoff Popup:
Can’t make it to Amalie Arena to buy merch? Well, there will be a pop-up retail store at Public Studio in Hyde Park on Saturday the 15th from 5:00-7:00 PM. You’ll have a chance to purchase the official 2023 playoff shirt!
Lightning Playoff Pep Rally presented by AdventHealth:
From high school sports to the pros nothing gets things going like a good ol’ pep rally. On Sunday the 16th, from 12:00-3:00 PM at Sparkman Wharf, the Lightning will kick off the postseason with a live broadcast of The Block Party with Greg Wolf and Braydon Coburn. Thunderbug will be there as well. You’ll have a chance to get more swag, and special playoff yard signs.
Official Lightning Watch Parties:
Why watch it alone when you can suffer and celebrate with fellow fans? Sparkman Wharf will also be the official location of the team’s watch parties during the first two games of the series against the Maple Leafs. There will be giveaways, concessions, special appearances, and the wonder of celebrating (or mourning) as a collective.
Lightning Plaza Parties:
For the home games, the fun moves to the Lightning plaza outside of Amalie Arena. There is a $5 fee, but not only do you get to watch the game, there will be “live music, giveaways, and more”. The fun begins three hours before the game. Tickets must be purchased and will be available once the schedule is released (probably late Thursday night).
