Final Canaries home stand caps off successful first year for new ownership

This paid piece is sponsored by the Sioux Falls Canaries.

There are seven games left – and a different reason each time to head to the Birdcage for the remaining Sioux Falls Canaries home stand.

“We’ve put a lot of time and resources into the quality of the experience when you walk into the Birdcage. Our promise to the community was if you come back it’s going to be a much better experience,” said Jack Fossand, special assistant to the new Canaries ownership.

The record isn’t the only way to measure success this year – not even close.

The new ownership group, True North LLC, led by Sioux Falls-born Brian Slipka, has viewed this as the first year in a decadeslong relationship with Sioux Falls and its fans. It started with a $500,000 scoreboard upgrade and has delivered themed and interactive experiences all season – including its most popular Big Lebowski Night in July.

Play on the field had its highlights too.

After a solid start to the season, three Canaries players signed with Major League ballclubs, and three went to Tokyo to play in the Olympics.

“So six very strong players were gone, which was great for them, and now we’ve got some of the guys back from the Olympics, and we’ve been playing a lot better these past few weeks.”

The crowds have grown steadily too, Fossand said.

“Weekends are always big, but it’s been great to see attendance growing during the week from week to week,” he said. “And we’ve gotten emails after the games from people saying they love the entertainment, the new video board is awesome, so we’ve been sharing with our whole team how responsive the fans have been.”

Ready to check it out for yourself? Here’s what’s ahead:

Aug. 30: 7:05 p.m. versus the Kansas City Monarchs: Margarita Monday, which means two margaritas for the price of one.

Plus, it’s Game Show Night. “Come on down” during the in-game show to play for prizes, including Canaries-related items and even free beer. There will mini-versions of the Price Is Right, Name That Tune and Match Game. Watch clips of some of the funniest, craziest game show moments in history on our new Daktronics video board. Best of all, you can enjoy all of this with two margaritas for the price of one! And bring your kids because tickets for kids 12 and younger are just $8!

Aug. 31: 7:05 p.m. versus the Kansas City Monarchs : Nacho Tuesday, which means half off one order of regular nachos.

Plus, it’s Hair Band Hysteria for Groovy Tunes-Day. Featuring hard rock of the ’80s, the tunes tonight will be KISS, Guns N’ Roses, Def Leppard, Motley Crue, Poison, Twisted Sister, Bon Jovi, Metallica, Whitesnake, Quiet Riot and more. Bonus: If you’re over 50, you’ll get a discount on your ticket.

Sept. 1: 7:05 p.m. versus the Kansas City Monarchs: Caddyshack Night on an Awesome ’80s night means a hot dog is just 80 cents with the purchase of another hot dog. Plus get a free bowl of soup with the purchase of any Canaries hat.

Sept: 3: 7:05 p.m. versus the Sioux City Explorers: Negro Leagues Celebration Night. It’s the final Friday Fireworks and a celebration of baseball and South Dakota history. Get ready for an entertaining and educational evening of Negro Leagues Celebration, including videos about Negro Leagues history, South Dakota’s connection to it and displays in our entry area from the South Dakota African American History Museum in Sioux Falls.

Plus, for a $15 purchase of an online ticket through this special link, you’ll get a lower bowl seat to the game and entry into a drawing for a prize package of four tickets to a remaining Kansas City Royals game of your choice  plus four tickets to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City.

Sept. 4: 6:05 p.m. versus the Sioux City Explorers: Superhero Saturday. Whether you’re into Superman, Batman, Spiderman, Iron Man or your superhero of choice, come in costume and receive a ticket discount.

You’ll be entered in a costume contest for a super prize. Plus, best moments in superhero history will be on the Daktronics video board and the USF pep band will play live throughout the game.

Sept. 5: 2:05 p.m. versus the Sioux City Explorers: Harry Canary Bobblehead Day on Sunday Family Fun Day. After two seasons as the Bard of the Birdcage (and Budweiser), it’s time to honor the team’s own “Lord of Leinenkugels” with a bobblehead in his likeness.

Order the Harry Canary bobblehead-and-ticket package for $20, or roll the dice and wait until game day to walk up for the deal. Plus, play catch in the outfield from 1 to 1:30 p.m., run the bases after the game and enjoy a Sunday family four-pack for $50: four tickets, four hotdogs and four sodas.

Sept. 6: 1:05 p.m. versus the Sioux City Explorers: I Don’t Wanna Work Office Space Bash on Margarita Monday. You’ve likely got the day off work, but not the Canaries. So they will show clips from “Office Space” and go one step further by giving everyone who buys a raffle ticket a chance to live the movie by releasing their pent-up work rage and taking a baseball bat to office equipment like Michael Bolton did in the flick. They’ll also give away a birthday cake and a red Swingline stapler to the fan who wears the most “flare.”

And, celebrate Labor Day on the party deck with a pre-ordered buffet for $32. That includes your ticket, pulled pork, baked beans, a domestic beer and a Canaries hat. Click here to learn more.

Plus, for kids 12 and younger, tickets are just $8 Sunday through Thursday for the rest of the season.

Players will sign autographs and take pictures with fans before every game, plus families love the Kids Zone playground, bounce house and basketball area that is supervised — so the adults can join the fun or watch the game.

Make a dinner out of it with Papa John’s Pizza, Fat Kid Filly’s cheesesteaks, burgers, hot dogs, chicken fingers, nachos and popcorn.

And don’t forget to stop by the pro shop, where merchandise has sold so fast this year they had to order more.

“We just got a huge shipment in, including some sweatshirts and warmer gear because the end of the season could be a little cooler,” Fossand said. “We sold so much, we had to buy more.”

What’s next

The offseason doesn’t mean taking much time off for the new ownership.

“We’ve been really excited by the response from the community this year and are looking forward to using the offseason to take our time and really determine the next best ways to invest in the team,” Fossand said.

“We’re still in our season of firsts, so it’s our first offseason, and we’re ready to hit that and be very thorough and come back with even more to offer next year.”

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