Good news, Portland Pickles fans. The first Pickles game is finally just around the corner! Their regular season starts May 28th at 6:05 PM, as the Pickles take on the Gherkins.
Educator Appreciation Night is a tremendous promotional night to kick things off, but it didn’t quite make the list of the top ten promotional nights this season. There are so many clever promotional ideas that it is difficult to narrow them down to just ten. Even Zoo Animal Night didn’t make the cut.
10. State Fair Weekend (3 games)
Opponent: Bend Elks
Date: July 12-14th
Time: 7:05 PM Friday & Saturday, 6:05 PM Sunday
The State Fair Weekend is returning for the second season, giving Pickles fans the opportunity to “live out [their]childhood dreams wandering the midway filled with sugar.” Eating fried food on a stick while watching people hit a ball with a stick – what’s not to love?
9. Monty Python and the Holy Dill
Opponent: Portland Rosebuds
Date: June 30th
Time: 6:05 PM
Unfortunately, today’s kids won’t get this reference, as the legendary movie is almost 50 years old. But real ones will know why this promotional night deserves a spot in the top ten. Let’s see if the Knights Who Say “Ni!” make an appearance.
Note: The first 200 fans in attendance will receive a free Dillon T. Pickle bobblehead
8. Picklefest
Opponent: Gresham Greywolves
Date: June 29th
Time: 7:05 PM
The sixth annual Picklefest is back! This promotional night features local breweries and live music, making it an event in itself. Doors open at 3:30 PM, which seems early, but it’s five o’clock somewhere.
7. Merica Night
Opponent: Portland Gherkins
Date: July 4th
Time: 7:05 PM
The Pickles are playing a Fourth of July doubleheader, with the first game starting at 3:05. The night game seemed more Merican, reminiscent of the Sandlot night game with the fireworks going off. The Portland Parks ban prevents them from setting off fireworks, which keeps the rank at No. 7. But it’s still a fun one, and you can get unnecessarily dressed up in your best American gear and eat a hot dog or four.
6. Simpsons Night + Tattoo Tuesday
Opponent: Springfield Drifters
Date: July 23rd
Time: 7:05 PM
Simpsons Night sounds like a fun event where Dillon and the Pickles can do many creative things to pay homage to the Simpsons. Homer Simpson and Dillon T. Pickle seem like they’d be great friends. Homer is more of a donut guy, so Dillon wouldn’t have to worry about being eaten.
5. National Tequila Day & Hispanic Heritage Night + Woof Wednesday
Opponent: Springfield Drifters
Date: July 24th
Time: 7:05 PM
It’s great to see Portland’s Hispanic Community get recognition, and there’s nothing better than getting buzzed off tequila and petting a bunch of dogs. Is it pickle-flavored tequila? That sounds gross.
4. Trail Blazers Night + Rockin’ the Walk
Opponent: Yakima Valley Pippins
Date: August 2nd
Time: 7:05 PM
The Pickles and Blazers crossover is a can’t-miss night for Oregon sports fans. Rockin’ the Walk means that a local Portland band performs, too. They’ll be on at 6:00 PM, and the Pickles will announce the specific band going on at a later date. It seems like a fun night for Pickles, Blazers, and music fans!
3. Pride Night + Tattoo Tuesday
Opponent: Portland Rosebuds
Date: July 16th
Time: 7:05 PM
This promotion is an excellent opportunity to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community in an entertaining way! Plus, all ticket purchasers are entered into a raffle to win a real tattoo if you’re into that sort of thing.
2. Keep Portland Weird Night + Woof Wednesday
Opponent: Kelowna Falcons
Date: August 7th
Time: 7:05 PM
Keep Portland Weird Night seems like a good one to people watch at. Fans raising chairs upside down probably won’t be the weirdest thing you see. Combine that with dogs running around, and it’s easy to see why it reached No. 2.
1. Mascot Olympics + Tattoo Tuesday
Opponent: Kelowna Falcons
Date: August 6th
Time: 7:05 PM
Mascot Olympics checks in at No. 1! Who doesn’t love more competition while watching another competition? The Pickles’ site describes it as “one of the funniest nights of the year – a bunch of local mascots competing in dumb games.” Smart money is on Dillon T. Pickle taking home the gold.
