Fireworks display climaxes Bearkat Family Weekend Sept. 25
9/12/2010 7:00:00 AM | Football, Soccer
Immediately following the football game, a fantastic fireworks display will complete a night of sports and entertainment thanks to Jacob J. Dell and one of Texas' premiere fireworks companies - Magic In The Sky.
"During pregame festivities, we've planned a little teaser," Dell said. "Immediately after the final whistle and the traditional playing of the Sam Houston alma mater, the real show begins. We will be firing from nine different locations between the softball field and the East side concession stand. It's going to be a great show."
The fireworks display will be the climax the "Hillcrest Ford Heroes" celebration at Sam Houston which will honor the valued citizens of Walker County who are military veterans or members of area police and fire department emergency services.
The salute is sponsored by Hillcrest Ford, Huntsville's dealership for Ford, Lincoln, Mercury and Hyundai sales, service and collision repair located just off southbound Interstate 45 at Exit #114.
The celebration is part of Bearkat Family Weekend at Elliott T. Bowers Stadium when Sam Houston plays host to the Gardner-Webb Bulldogs from North Carolina. Kickoff is at 6 p.m.
"Fireworks displays as a part of patriotic events are an American tradition. We are pleased to have been invited to join with Sam Houston, Hillcrest Ford and the Huntsville community as we honor those who protect our freedom and our safety," Dell said. "Fans are going to think it's the Fourth of July in September."
Showing both pride in America and in the Huntsville and Sam Houston State community is what the "Hillcrest Ford Heroes" and Bearkat Family Weekend is all about.
"Hillcrest Ford is excited to be part of a night we join to honor those who keep our community safe, welcome the parents and families of our Sam Houston students to Huntsville and root the Bearkats to victory in their opening home game," Hillcrest Ford general manager Justin Wright said. "Blending all these aspects into one thrilling event is amazing. And what better way to complete the event than with a big fireworks show. I hope all the fans realize what a great night this is going to be and come take part as we watch the Bearkats roll up another victory."
Magic In The Sky has a strong working relationship with American shell builders that allows the company to provide unparalleled beauty and unique effects that will separate the display at the Sam Houston football game from others.
"These pyrotechnics are designed to provide maximum visual impact and consistent performance," Dell said. "We use a digital electronic firing system to choreograph fireworks effects with precision timing and create spectacular aerial patterns that are sure to please the fans."
Magic in the Sky started with a father and son team's lifelong passion for engaging audiences with precision pyrotechnic displays. Since 1999 the company has continued to expand its services and has provided fireworks displays for customers all over South Central Texas down to the Rio Grande.
"Our biggest show is at Fiesta Texas theme park in San Antonio," Dell said. "We've done displays for everything - weddings, parties, reunions, theme parks and fairs. We're very excited to be coming to Huntsville. Sporting events are one of our favorite shows."
Bell is clear about his major goal at the Sam Houston football home opener.
"The most important thing for us is to keep the people in their seats when the game is over," Dell said. "We want people to see something exciting. We're coordinating a show for Sam Houston we believe will have some tricks most people in the area have never seen."
The postgame fireworks show is one of many attractions for Bearkat Family Weekend Saturday, Sept. 25. The event also features a special appearance by the Houston Texans cheerleaders, a fly-over and landing of U.S. Army helicopters, a pregame march from the SHSU mall to the stadium by the Bearkat band, the "Hillcrest Ford Heroes" halftime march of veterans and area police and fire emergency service members with the SHSU Army ROTC battalion and the 4 p.m. pregame tailgate party at Bearkat Alley with food and exciting military displays open for fans to tour.
Game time at Bowers Stadium for Saturday's Parents' Weekend matchup between Sam Houston and Gardner-Webb is 6 p.m. Live coverage on KSAM 101.7 FM begins at 5:30 p.m. and on the internet at www.gobearkats.com . KSAM also will be broadcasting live remote reports from the tailgate party which begins at 4 p.m. at Bearkat Alley just north of the stadium scoreboard.
Bearkat single game tickets are on sale at the Sam Houston athletic ticket office in the Ron Mafrige Fieldhouse south of Bowers Stadium from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fans can purchase Bearkat Family Weekend football game tickets online or by calling the Sam Houston Athletic Ticket Office at 936 294-1729.
Individual game tickets for Sam Houston's other three home games at Bowers also are onsale online. The next home event following the Gardner-Webb game will be Homecoming Saturday October 16 at 2 p.m. against Southeastern Louisiana.
| Family Weekend Events - Saturday September 25, 2010 | ||
| Morning Activities | ||
| 8:30 a.m. | Check-In | Lowman Student Center Atrium |
| 9 a.m. | Coffee with SHSU Administrators | LSC Paw Print |
| 10 a.m. | Campus tours | Visitor Center |
| 10 a.m. | Parents' Association meeting | LSC Theater |
| 11:30 a.m. | Honors Program parents luncheon | LSC Ballroom |
| 12 noon | Bearkat Fiesta (Group 1) | Johnson Coliseum |
| 12 noon | Carnival on the Concourse | Johnson Coliseum |
| 1 p.m. | Bearkat Fiesta (Group 2) | Johnson Coliseum |
| 1 p.m. | Bearkat Learning Community social | Vick House |
| Open Houses | ||
| 10 a.m. | College of Education | TEC Building 279 |
| 10 a.m. | Estill Building | Estill Building |
| 10 a.m. | Alumni Association | Alumni & Visitor Center |
| 11 a.m. | College of Business Administration | Smith-Hutson |
| 1 p.m. | College of Criminal Justice | C J Foyer |
| Pregame at Bowers Stadium | ||
| 2 p.m. | US Army helicopters land | Intramural Fields |
| 3:30 p.m. | Classic Car Cruise-In | Bowers Stadium North Lot |
| 4 p.m. | Bearkat Alley Pregame Tailgate | Bowers Stadium North Lot |
| U.S. Army 18-wheeler tour | ||
| Veterans Resource Center display | ||
| ROTC Rock Wall | ||
| Food and music | ||
| 4:15 p.m. | Bearkat Band march to tailgate | SHSU Mall to Bowers Stadium |
| 4:30 p.m. | Bowers Stadium gates open | |
| Houston Texans Cheerleader | Inside north Bowers entrance | |
| autograph session | ||
| 5:40 p.m. | Family Weekend pregame show | |
| Sam Houston vs. Gardner-Webb | ||
| 6 p.m. | Kickoff | |
| Halftime | "Hillcrest Ford Heroes" celebration | |
| Bearkat Marching Band performance | ||
| Post-Game | Magic In The Sky fireworks display | |
