The Newark Bears professional baseball team will host “Bird Flu Awareness Night” at their May 26 game. The promotion is mostly tongue-in-cheek and light-hearted and was inspired by a news report that a “mild form of the Avian Flu influenza [was] found in a bird market in Camden County recently.” Any fan that brings a “chicken” related item to the game (such as a rubber chicken or can of chicken soup, etc.) will receive free admission. All fans will receive a surgical air-filter mask upon entering the gates. The mask giveaway is sponsored by the Saint Barnabas Health Care System/Clara Maass Medical Center. In addition, a pre-game chicken wing eating contest will take place on the concourse. (from team media)

Not sure I share the laughs on what could be a pandemic that kills millions globally, but this is sure to catch people’s eye.

The release doesn’t mention it, but I would feel better about this if they were doing something to educate their fans as well.  A one page sheet, player card with medical advice or information or scoreboard announments on what to do in case of an emergency could be considered.

The Toronto Blue Jays did a SARS Awareness Night a couple years ago, that was used to help educate the public after the SARS outbreak in Canada.  the promotion won a Gameops.com Best of Award.

-cudo