  Wash_man Member Username: Wash_man Post Number: 504 Registered: 05-2006 |
Anyone know if a Winter Blast is planned for '08? I checked the website but it hasn't been updated since the last event. I hope there is going to be one, but won't be surprised if there isn't, given the state of the local economy. | ||
Charlottepaul Member Username: Charlottepaul Post Number: 1982 Registered: 10-2006 |
Well, the one last year seemed to not be publicized or updated on the web site until maybe a month before the event or so. I recall that it is mostly corporate sponsored, so it should go on as normal assuming that there is a demand for the event. | ||
Craig Member Username: Craig Post Number: 391 Registered: 02-2007 |
Last year's barely happened - all is dependent upon corporate sponsors putting up $$$. Balance good corporate citizenship with the need to show ROI. Maybe, only maybe, foundation money will make this happen in '08 | ||
Jfried Member Username: Jfried Post Number: 1083 Registered: 11-2003 |
I have a copy of the Michigan Business Report (Vol 5. No. 4, Fall 07)from the MEDC that lists the Winter Blast on the back cover calendar of events occurring at a date TBD in December 2007. | ||
Craig Member Username: Craig Post Number: 392 Registered: 02-2007 |
Jfried - the Blast could be nothing more than a snowball fight in '08. I'm hoping that the money is found for it, but I'm not hopeful. | ||
Charlottepaul Member Username: Charlottepaul Post Number: 1985 Registered: 10-2006 |
Actually Jfried, isn't it usually in Feb.? I guess that I am saying, don't look for anything to be announced in December. | ||
Raptor56 Member Username: Raptor56 Post Number: 163 Registered: 05-2007 |
Putsing around google, I found the following RenCen Event list with the 2008 Winter Blast listed as Feb 8-10. http://www.gmrencen.com/Detroi t/MajorEvents/tabid/99/Default .aspx | ||
Charlottepaul Member Username: Charlottepaul Post Number: 1987 Registered: 10-2006 |
Good find Raptor56. | ||
Jfried Member Username: Jfried Post Number: 1084 Registered: 11-2003 |
I was just posting what I saw on the back of that report. | ||
Scooter2k7 Member Username: Scooter2k7 Post Number: 13 Registered: 10-2007 |
What they could do with the Winter Blast is to have the Red Wings play an outdoor game at Comerica Park. Michigan and Michigan State had the Cold War at Spartan Stadium and I think that either Buffalo or Montreal are playing an outdoor game. They could have the Wings vs the Leafs, Hawks, Rangers, some original 6 team. Just an idea. | ||
Jfried Member Username: Jfried Post Number: 1085 Registered: 11-2003 |
that is a great idea. | ||
Charlottepaul Member Username: Charlottepaul Post Number: 1988 Registered: 10-2006 |
That would be a pretty sweet idea Scooter2k7. I'm guessing that this would have been done at some point in the past, perhaps for practicality rather than show? | ||
Ndavies Member Username: Ndavies Post Number: 2877 Registered: 10-2003 |
What's the point of having the Wings play at Comerica? The Wings are having trouble selling out the Joe. I could see attendance actually dropping for a game at comerica. There's no way i'd sit through an outdoor game where I had to sit 100 yards away from the rink. | ||
Charlottepaul Member Username: Charlottepaul Post Number: 1993 Registered: 10-2006 |
"There's no way i'd sit through an outdoor game where I had to sit 100 yards away from the rink." Pretty sure that refrigerated ice hasn't been around for forever. Some might be much more willing than you. The Michigan/MSU "Cold War" seems to be a big hit: http://ed-web3.educ.msu.edu/he rl/HERLweb/CW05.JPG | ||
Detroitrise Member Username: Detroitrise Post Number: 483 Registered: 09-2007 |
It would be nice though if at one of these Winter Blasts, that we actually get a real Winter Blast. I haven't seen a good snowstorm or snow event for 5 years. I'm glad it's coming back though. I'm might try to go this year. | ||
Motorcitydave Member Username: Motorcitydave Post Number: 115 Registered: 11-2004 |
I had heard earlier in the year that is was actually supposed to be bigger this year, and adding more snow slide lanes too (6 I think). | ||
Ericsprague Member Username: Ericsprague Post Number: 29 Registered: 02-2006 |
I e-mailed the contact address at www.winterblast.com and received the following from Lauren Lefkofsky (with an e-mail address at artsbeatseats.com): The tentative dates for Winterblast 2008 is February 8-10th. As soon as the date is confirmed we will be updating our website. | ||
Jrvass Member Username: Jrvass Post Number: 309 Registered: 01-2007 |
I had a winterblast driving to Lansing this morning. Fluffy white stuff. And I still have leaves on my trees. | ||
Rugbyman Member Username: Rugbyman Post Number: 154 Registered: 06-2005 |
I hope they do the "Dine in the D" program again. We went to Coach Insignia last year- good times. | ||
Buzzman0077 Member Username: Buzzman0077 Post Number: 151 Registered: 11-2006 |
The first "Trial" Winterblast a year before the Superbowl ended up being in the middle of a snow storm. | ||
Detroitrise Member Username: Detroitrise Post Number: 593 Registered: 09-2007 |
^^^Yeah, and ever since, there's barely been a snowflake. | ||
Focusonthed Member Username: Focusonthed Post Number: 1460 Registered: 02-2006 |
I would bet the idea of an outdoor hockey game at Comerica is a non-starter. I can't imagine the Tigers allowing that much weight on their grass during the winter. It would ruin or kill a huge amount of grass. Also, baseball stadiums are extremely poorly shaped for such things. | ||
Renfirst Member Username: Renfirst Post Number: 105 Registered: 12-2006 |
is the ice rink open? we should have a detroityes gathering this holiday season... | ||
Raptor56 Member Username: Raptor56 Post Number: 165 Registered: 05-2007 |
Ice rink opens this Friday with the annual tree lighting http://www.campusmartiuspark.o rg/img/111607%20tree%20lightin g%20ws.pdf | ||
Solarflare Member Username: Solarflare Post Number: 575 Registered: 11-2003 |
Add me to the list of people who think an outdoor Wings game of some kind during the Winter Blast would be an out-freaking-standing idea. | ||
Wash_man Member Username: Wash_man Post Number: 510 Registered: 05-2006 |
The dates of Feb. 8-10 have been confirmed on the Winter Blast website. http://winterblast.com/ | ||
Dan Member Username: Dan Post Number: 1465 Registered: 10-2003 |
Detroitrise, Did you miss the first one? We were devastated by a snow storm! It was great! | ||
Wash_man Member Username: Wash_man Post Number: 523 Registered: 05-2006 |
Not related to Detroit, but someone in this thread mentioned an outdoor hockey game to boost attendance for the Winter Blast. It's happening, just not in Detroit. Since it is the first outdoor game played in the US, it would have been nice if it would have been the Wings. More positive national exposure. http://freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll /article?AID=/20071222/SPORTS0 5/312220012 (Message edited by wash_man on December 22, 2007) | ||
Lilpup Member Username: Lilpup Post Number: 3227 Registered: 06-2004 |
got 'em outside, now just need to get them onto a lake, bleachers along the shore  | ||
401don Member Username: 401don Post Number: 176 Registered: 11-2007 |
Actually I guarantee a Rangers-Red Wings final still WILL NOT draw the casual fan - especially when they continue to play the finals in June. (By the way tickets sold out in a blink in Buffalo for this game, thousands of people were shutout from getting tickets. Lake effect snows could turn this into a disaster however) |
