Schwartz: Mets Set To Hold Third Annual Citi Field Sleepover In June
By Peter Schwartz
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When Citi Field opened its doors in 2009, it gave the team and its fans a beautiful state-of-the-art home with a ton of amenities. However, these days a new ballpark is not just about the 81 home games and the potential for postseason action.
New stadiums are designed to host a variety of events, and Citi Field has done just that with concerts, soccer matches, weddings, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs and even the premiere of the Billy Joel documentary "Last Play at Shea." The Mets have even found a way for their fans to enjoy an overnight stay at the ballpark.
On Saturday, June 20, the team will host its third annual "Citi Field Sleepover," an event where fans can sleep on the outfield grass with sleeping bags or on the warning track with tents. The night features the Mets-Braves telecast from Atlanta on the center-field video board, followed by a showing of "The Lego Movie."
"We're so excited," said Heather Collamore, vice president of Metropolitan Hospitality, Citi Field's non-game day event company. "We're looking forward to presenting a fantastic event this year."
The night begins at 6:30 p.m., when fans will be admitted inside the ballpark. They will have access to the Fan Fest Area and will have the opportunity to meet Mets alumni, as well as have their photo taken with Mr. and Mrs. Met. During the game and the movie, snacks will be served and there will also be limited concessions available for purchase.
It's an event that gives Mets fans a very unique experience where they can sit back, relax and hang out on the same field that their favorite baseball team plays on.
Oh, and don't forget to bring your baseball gloves.
"They can throw a ball and spend the night sleeping under the stars," said Collamore. "It's just a pretty incredible opportunity that people don't generally get. What a better place to watch the Mets play than on the grass itself?"
Last year, the event drew more than 300 fans. But this year, the Mets are hoping for more thanks to new and improved pricing. Admission for fans 12 and under will be $85, while children ages 5 to 12 can experience the sleepover for $70. To make it easier for an entire family to attend, children under five will be admitted for free.
And after you've slept under the stars at Citi Field, you'll be able to return later in the summer for a ballgame. All fans attending the sleepover will receive a ticket for the Mets-Padres game on July 28.
It has all the makings of a very special experience for Mets fans.
"It should be a really fun family night," said Collamore. "We're also going to change the timing a little bit so people will have a little more time to sleep in the morning, which I think they'll appreciate."
Since its inception in 2009, Metropolitan Hospitality has hosted over 1,300 events at Citi Field. The ballpark features 200,000 square feet of hospitality space and has the ability to host corporate meetings, holiday parties and trade shows. Later this summer, Citi Field will also host a pair of Zac Brown Band concerts on August 21 and 22, as well as a pair of performances by the Foo Fighters on July 15th and 16.
"It's very special," said Collamore. "We really love being able to utilize the ballpark for all sorts of different events throughout the year."
That includes the sleepover, an event that gives the team a chance to connect with their fans in a unique way. It's an opportunity for kids of all ages to experience the magic of the ballpark from the very outfield that Michael Cuddyer, Juan Lagares and Curtis Granderson patrol during games.
The question is: Who will be the bigger children at this event? Will it be the kids or the adults?
"A lot of times the parents enjoy it just as much, if not more, than their kids," said Collamore. "They sort of understand the magic of it and how special it really is to be out on the field, where kids don't necessarily recognize that at this point."
Citi Field might be the most fan-friendly sporting venue in the metropolitan area. Whether it's the Fan Fest, the food and beverage choices, the Mets Hall of Fame and Museum, the kids running the bases after Sunday games, or just the overall ballpark experience, it's hard not to have a good time at Citi Field.
The sleepover is another way for Mets fans to have fun at the ballpark. They can watch the game, enjoy a movie, meet Mets alumni and then sleep under the stars in the outfield.
Sounds like an amazin' experience.
Tickets for the Citi Field Sleepover are available at mets.com/sleepover. For more information on Metropolitan Hospitality, visit their website at www.metropolitanhospitality.com.
Don't forget to follow me on Twitter @pschwartzcbsfan. You can also follow the @Mets as well as @CitiField.
