Ticket prices waived for 1st football game to celebrate new stadium addition
The Kennett Area Consolidated School District is inviting the community to Friday’s season-opening football game, which will have no admission free in celebration of the new stadium lights.
Spectators won’t have to pay to watch Kennett’s Blue Demons play their first home football game on Friday. The Kennett Consolidated School District (KCSD) is offering free admission to celebrate the 7 p.m. season-opener against Avon Grove – a contest being played under new stadium lighting, a district news release said.
“This is a celebration, and we would like to invite the entire Kennett community to join us,” said Superintendent Barry Tomasetti.
The Demon Lights Committee has raised $225,000 for metal halide lamps that will shine onto the field from 70-foot poles, which will be celebrated during the “White Out” game. The first 500 attendees will receive white T-shirts, and the gates will open at 6 p.m., said Jeff Thomas, KHS athletic director. “We chose white because it represents light,” explained Jeff Roland, one of the committee members.
“We are excited that the lights on the athletic field will benefit the band and the football, lacrosse, field hockey and soccer teams. Each team will play five night games each year, which will allow the children’s parents to attend games as spectators,” said Tomasetti.
School supporters are hoping that the game might attract television lights, too. With enough votes, the contest could become NBC10’s first showcased football matchup of the season for a new program called “NBC10 High School Blitz.” The weekly show, which debuts next Saturday, Aug. 31, will feature a “Game of the Week,” chosen by the viewing public from three choices offered each week.
The winning matchup will receive extended post-game coverage during the network’s news broadcast at 11 p.m. on Fridays as well as during the Saturday night program, which will air at 7 p.m. To vote, visit www.nbc10.com or call 610-624-4111.
Barbara Nash, a Demon Lights Committee member, envisions other benefits from the lights that include the district’s hosting play-off games and band competitions. She predicted that businesses will see increased revenues from patrons stopping in after games, and Kennett Square will develop a greater sense of community from residents’ attending games together.
“We are extremely thankful to the Demon Lights Committee, our community members and business partners for their contributions in making our stadium lights a reality,” said Tomasetti.
Roland and Nash thanked everyone who donated time and money. “People gave what they could during the economic recovery – whether it was $5 or $10,000, it all helped,” the said. They appreciated the community’s support of the carnival, which raised $10,000. The committee gave special thanks to the following donors: DIVER, Chester County Technical College High School, GENESIS, BeDriven, Southern Chester County Soccer Association, The Mushroom Council, and Seasons Pizza.
Besides Jeff Roland and Barbara Nash, the committee members included Cathy Roland, Jim Nash, Pam Ramagano, Carl and Carol Lowe, Mike Fragale, Joe Sexton, Heather Schaen, and Mike Finnegan.
One last fund-raiser is planned to cover remaining costs. The Demon Lights Committee is seeking volunteers to hand out wristbands at the Mushroom Festival, which runs Sept. 7-8. To volunteer, email: barb@demonlights.com.
