NHL creating fan festival outside Fenway

The 2010 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic will offer much more than just a hockey game between two of the League's bitter rivals -- the Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers.

Fans will also be able to enjoy two fun-filled days of entertainment, including live interviews with Bruins alumni, musical performances, interactive hockey-themed attractions and an opportunity to win tickets to the 2010 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic on Jan. 1 at Boston's famed Fenway Park.

"The Bruins plus Fenway Park really equals a once-in-a-lifetime experience for our city," said Boston's 53rd mayor, Thomas Menino. "Boston is a perfect fit for the Winter Classic. The Bruins are an Original Six team, rich in history and championships. Hockey is a global game and Boston is a global city, so I look forward to the Winter Classic and having the opportunity to showcase this event and our city to the world. I can't wait to come back here in January with little snowflakes coming down."

Thursday, the NHL, in conjunction with Mayor Menino and the City of Boston, announced plans to extend the celebration of the New Year's Day outdoor game by creating a free fan festival -- the 2010 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic Spectator Plaza -- outside the walls of Fenway Park.

On Dec. 31 at 11 a.m. and Jan. 1 at 9 a.m., the parking lot at Brookline Avenue and Yawkey Way will transform into an outdoor hockey and entertainment festival for fans of all ages.

During the celebration, fans will be able to enjoy a game of air hockey, have a photo taken through "Fanfoto" in the food and beverage tent sponsored by Bud Light and purchase officially licensed 2010 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic merchandise in the NHL retail area.

"Sports fans in Boston, especially hockey fans, are real die-hards," Menino told NHL.com. "They're passionate about the sport and they love their Bruins no matter if they're winning or losing. The fans are rabid and I just think this is going to be a great boost to NHL hockey and to hockey in general in this area of the country."

Bridgestone will also host an interactive display where fans can test their hockey skills and receive fun giveaways. Fans will have the chance to shoot a puck through a tire and one shot to score on a live goalie for the opportunity to win a set of Bridgestone tires and bragging rights as winner of the "Bridgestone Shooting Competition."

Compuware will provide high-performance bubble hockey tables and hand out foam pucks for fans in attendance. Upper Deck will provide the opportunity for fans to create their own personal hockey trading card and Honda will showcase the all-new 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour.

Verizon Wireless is launching their newest VCAST addition of live NHL radio broadcasts, which will allow fans to listen to every NHL game broadcast on their Verizon Wireless handset with VCAST. To celebrate this launch, Verizon Wireless will host Icebreaker -- a hockey game show inside of Spectator Plaza that will test fan's hockey IQ and give them the opportunity to win exciting NHL prizes.

WHAT: 2010 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic Spectator Plaza, a free outdoor hockey and entertainment fan festival, in celebration of the Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic New Year's Day outdoor game between the Boston Bruins and the Philadelphia Flyers.
 
WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 31, from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
            Friday, Jan. 1, from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
                                             
WHERE: Brookline Avenue Parking Lot at Yawkey Way in Boston