Thunder Will Host FanFest Friday in Bricktown

Originally Published: Apr 12, 2010 10:51 AM CDT

Corey DeMoss
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Thunder will celebrate its first trip to the playoffs since moving from Seattle with Thunder FanFest in Bricktown this Friday.

The festivities will begin at 5 p.m. and will offer fans their first opportunity to buy a wide range of new Thunder playoff merchandise, including T-shirts, hats, pennants, pins and commemorative basketballs.

The event will be held in the parking lot on the southwest corner of Oklahoma and Sheridan Avenues. Friday will mark the eve of the NBA Playoffs, so the team will be unable to attend, but Rumble the Bison and the Thunder Girls will be among those in attendance.

“The Thunder’s success this season has been the result of commitment, resiliency, teamwork and passion for the game – traits also embodied by the fans who have been, and continue to be, a vital part of the Thunder family,” Thunder senior vice president Brian Byrnes said in a statement. “Thunder FanFest is a fun and exciting way to engage with other Thunder fans and share in the experience together.”

Oklahoma City native and Universal Republic recording artist Graham Colton will provide entertainment, and other attractions will include face-painting, games, balloon artists and Thunder temporary tattoos.

Fans will receive complimentary Homeland gift bags, Coke products and Thunder rally towels. Fans will also have the opportunity to win playoff tickets by visiting the tent of THUNDERALLY, an upcoming online community of Thunder fans.

The Thunder will finish the regular season against the Memphis Grizzlies Wednesday, and fans in attendance will receive Thunder car flags. If you would like to receive a flag but cannot attend the game, you can pick one up while supplies last by wearing your Thunder gear at any metro Homeland location beginning Thursday.

The NBA Playoffs will begin this weekend, with the exact schedule still yet to be determined. Oklahoma City’s loss to Golden State Sunday dropped the Thunder into eighth place in the west, but it can rise in the standings with a victory over Portland Monday.

Stage Schedule:
5 p.m. - Event begins
5:20 - 5:45 p.m. - Graham Colton
5:45 - 6:30 p.m. - Mayor Cornett, Thunder Girls, Rumble, COX Thunder Drummers, contests, giveaways
6:30 - 6:55 p.m. - Baby Bash
7 p.m. - Event ends