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PHILADELPHIA — With only a few hours left until National League MVP Bryce Harper and the 2022 Phillies return for Opening Week at Citizens Bank Park, the team and Aramark officials on Monday revealed all the new foods, fan gear, special events, giveaways and more that will be part of this season’s ballpark experience.

“We can’t control the game on the field, but we can control our fans’ experiences,” commented Phillies Public Affairs Director Scott Palmer in his opening remarks.

The Phillies announced plans for season opening festivities, April 8-10, which includes the ballpark-wide recognition of National League MVP Bryce Harper.

On Friday, April 8, the Phillies are kicking off the season with Opening Day, presented by Nemours Children’s Health, with a free fleece headband for all fans. Highlights include the return of a very special tradition– the leadoff walk of players, who will make their way from Ashburn Alley onto the field. Kane Kalas, son of the late Phillies Hall of Fame broadcaster Harry Kalas, will sing the National Anthem. Dan Baker will also be celebrating his 50th season as the Phillies iconic public address announcer and will throw out the first pitch. More fun includes the Budweiser Block Party at the Third Base Plaza.

“We’re very excited about Opening Day, only 72 hours from now,” David Buck, executive vice president of the Phillies stated on Monday. “We are sold out already. Now that we’re back to normal, we will finally be able to do Opening Day as it should be done!”

On Saturday, April 9, the Phillies will formally recognize National League MVP Bryce Harper on McDonald’s Opening Night, with Hall of Famer and three-time MVP Mike Schmidt taking the field to help with the honors. All fans 15 and over receive a Bryce Harper MV3 T-Shirt.

On Sunday, it’s Cavity Busters Kids Opening Day, with kids taking part in honorary pre-game activities, including presenting Bryce Harper and Nick Castellanos with their Silver Slugger Awards. Children 14 and under receive a Phillies windbreaker.

Opening Weekend will also be the first time to ring the bell. When the Phillies players hit one out of the park, fans are going to get an amazing home run show to go along with it. Starting on Opening Day, fans will be able to see all the new features that were made this offseason to the Phillies Home Run Liberty Bell. Highlights include the addition of 26,000 new LED lights and motion-added fun.

The Phillies also provided the first glimpse of their 2022 promotions and Theme Nights, as well as a preview of player, Phanatic and Phillies-themed giveaways. Highlights include the Citizens Phanatic Birthday, XFINITY Fireworks, Postgame Concert Series presented by Jim Beam, Alumni Weekend, Star Wars™ Theme Night benefitting Stand Up to Cancer, Autism Awareness Night, and more. Details can be found at phillies.com/promotions.

Along with the promotions, the Phillies and Aramark introduced new food and beverage partners. “We always try to use and feature local favorites,” remarked Kevin Tedesco, General Manager of Aramark at Citizens Bank Park. “We have some exciting new partners this year.”

Debuting at the ballpark, for the 2022 season is Ocean City, New Jersey’s Manco & Manco Pizza in Ashburn Alley. A longtime favorite at the Jersey shore, Manco & Manco Pizza will now be available at ballgames so fans can enjoy the thin crust pizza, the same way they have for over six decades. Plain, pepperoni and a series special will be available fresh out of the oven. The Manco family was on hand Monday to announce their partnership with the Phillies and Aramark. Kay Manco, who launched the pizza shop with her late husband Frank in Ocean City in 1956 now has three locations on the Ocean City Boardwalk and one in Somers Point, NJ. Accompanied by her daughter Mary Bangle and her son-in-law Chuck Bangle, Mrs. Manko, who turned 83-years-old Monday, was treated to a cake and rendition of “Happy Birthday” during Monday’s media Phillies fan preview event.

“I wish my husband was here to see this day,” Kay Manco said proudly, as the announcement of the partnership was made.

Another new addition this season will be Colbie’s Southern Kissed Chicken, which will be found behind Section 120. Colbie’s Southern Kissed Chicken started in collaboration with Celebrity Top Chef Fabio Viviani, and features fresh, chef-inspired selections, with a leadership roster that includes founders Craig and Michael Colby and Phillies’ World Champion Ryan Howard.

Howard said he is excited for Colbie’s Chicken Sandwiches to debut at the ballpark and super excited for the season.

“When you get the fans behind you in Philadelphia, there’s nothing like it,” Howard commented, recalling his own experience on the field. “It’s magical. With the moves they made this year, it’s going to be a fun year for the fans in Philadelphia.”

Colbie’s will offer fans the best in Southern Style Chicken Sandwiches, including Ryan Howard’s favorite, “The Big Piece,” made with a sweet Hawaiian bun, garlic aioli, pickles, mild American cheese, bacon, lettuce and tomato and the “Nashville Hot,” consisting of a sweet Hawaiian bun, Nashville hot sauce, spicy aioli, pickles, lettuce, tomato and pepper jack cheese.

Rounding out the new offerings at the park is another Pennsylvania-made favorite, KLYR Rum, which will be served at locations throughout the ballpark.

KLYR Rum, distilled 12 times and filtered 18 times, is a unique, gluten-free distilled spirit with zero grams of sugar and zero grams of carbohydrates, and it’s lower in calories than other, more sugary rums. Launched nine months ago, KLYR can now be found at leading wine and spirits stores as well as top bars and restaurants in and around the Philadelphia area. All three new partners — Amish Patel, owner of KLYR Rum, Chuck Bangle, co-owner of Manco & Manco Pizza, and Mike Colby, co-owner of Colbie’s Southern Kissed Chicken– were present Monday for the Phillies partnership announcement.

The Phillies and Aramark have added even more new menu items to the ballpark’s award-winning food lineup, including PJ Whelihan’s Wicked Chicken Nachos available in Ashburn Alley; Pass & Stow Sausage Sandwich available at Pass & Stow, Third Base Plaza; Peanut Butter and Jelly Burger available at Boardwalk Eats, Section 142; Burnt Ends Cheesesteak available at Bull’s BBQ, Left Field Plaza; Impossible® Cheesesteak available at the Garden Grill location, behind Section 125; and  Street Nachos available behind Section 139.

When fans come to the ballpark this year, they will also discover new and exclusive official items at the New Era Phillies Team Store at Citizens Bank Park.

Fans can now represent the team’s newest outfielders Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos on Phillies pinstripes and gray road jerseys by Nike, which can be pressed on site. Also featured and arriving for Opening Day are red Nike Phillies name and number t-shirts.

Phanatic Phans will also be able to find an assortment of new Phillie Phanatic novelties to represent their favorite mascot. Highlights will include the jumbo pillow pet, a smaller retro version, the study buddy plush, a drawstring backpack, new drinkware and more.

A Phanatic pin program is also new for 2022, with a new limited-edition, ballpark-exclusive pin launched each month.

Fans will also be able to purchase memorabilia to commemorate Opening Day 2022. Novelty opening day items will include a baseball, pins, hat and an Opening Day Phanatic T-shirt.

Another addition for the 2022 season at the ballpark is the Cavity Buster’s Nursing Mother’s Lounge, sponsored by Cavity Busters, and located behind section 125 on the main concourse. The clean, easily accessible space will provide a quiet, private space for mothers to pump or feed their child.

On Wednesday, April 13, Beam Suntory will be “relaunching” the Jim Beam Highball Bar on Ashburn Alley with a fun celebration and ribbon cutting ceremony there. Beginning at 11:30 a.m., fans can expect a celebrity alumni bartender, free samples, and fun giveaways.

“What an amazing time to be a Phillies fan – not only because of our exciting lineup on the field, but also for the entire game day experience,” said Phillies Executive Vice President David Buck. “This Friday, we look forward to celebrating the start of the season as we host the first of several weekend matchups and fan events. Adding to the fun atmosphere is our enhanced ballpark menu and exclusive team gear that we know our fans are going to enjoy.”

For more information on the upcoming 2022 season of the Philadelphia Phillies, visit https://www.mlb.com/phillies.

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