We have a special event planned for the September 20th home football game - the 2024 Military & First Responders Night!
The I-35 Activities Department partnered with our local Iowa Army National Guard Recruiter, community members, the Booster Club, and All-Sports Sponsor - Stromax Construction - to create an event full of special elements.
We encourage everyone to come out and take part in all of the events. Items noted with an asterisk involve loud or booming noises.
Game Details:
September 20, 2024
7:00 PM start
$6/admission, ages 3+
Free admission for current and former military & first responders. This is done on the honor system. Simply inform the gate workers and they will allow you in free of charge.
Youth flag and tackle football players also get in free so they can help hold the national anthem flag. They need to be wearing their jerseys / T-shirts.
Special Elements Summary:
Below is a brief summary of the special items planned for the evening. There are additional details about these items in the Timeline section.
Pre-game tailgate dinner - $6 for a pulled pork sandwich, chips & drink. Proceeds go towards After Prom festivities. Dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. and is served throughout the game.
Pie Silent Auction! Come bid on your favorite pie and take it home to enjoy. Auction begins at 6:30 p.m. and winners will get their pie at half-time. Proceeds benefit Elementary PBIS efforts.
Super-sized, on-field flag for the National Anthem presented by I-35 youth flag & tackle football players.
Game Ball Delivery by the Mercy One helicopter!
Brief fireworks* show following the National Anthem.
Howitzer* cannon fired with each Roadrunner score.
Half-time recognition of past or current military/first responders. Submit names online!
“Half-time Fun” Giveaway! T-shirt crowd toss brought to you by the I-35 Booster Club and Stromax Construction.
Special Elements Details and Timeline
6:30 PM - Pregame Dinner Tailgate Begins! The dinner is $6 and includes a pulled pork sandwich, chips & drink. Proceeds go towards After Prom festivities, which help create a safe after prom environment for I-35 seniors. Dinner is served throughout the game, so feel free to come by anytime.
6:30 PM - Youth flag and tackle football players should arrive at the stadium if they’d like to participate in presenting the super-sized national anthem flag. They’ll be given additional instructions on-site. This fun experience is available to all youth football players. There is no need to RSVP. The students will be holding a flag that stretches across the field, like what’s seen at professional football games. By wearing their jerseys or football T-shirts, all youth football players get in free to the game.
6:30 PM - Silent Pie Auction Begins! Come check out the available homemade pies and snag a sweet treat to take home! Proceeds go towards the Elementary PBIS funds, which provides fun positive awards and celebrations for elementary students for making good choices at school. Auction winners will get their pie at half-time, so be sure to check to see if you’ve won one!
6:40PM - Game Ball Delivery by the Mercy One helicopter! Watch the helicopter land midfield and deliver the game ball. It's a cool experience and thank you Mercy One! (Note: in the event of an emergency, the helicopter would not be able to attend.)
6:54 PM - Roadrunners take the field! The Howitzer* will fire. This artillery class is in between a cannon and mortar so it is loud.
6:56 PM - The National Anthem plays, accompanied by a super sized, on-field flag display. This flag is held by the I-35 Youth Football Players. Additional details above.
6:57 PM - Howitzer fires & a brief fireworks display commences* A special thanks to community members for putting on the display!
7:00 PM - The game begins! Cheer on the Roadrunners! During the game, a Howitzer* will fire for each Roadrunner score.
Half-time - Former and Current First Responders and Members of the Military recognized. Submit names of our community’s heroes so we can honor them at half-time. You can submit more than one name. Simply resend the form with a different name each time. We've also included a field for pronunciation clarification if needed. (Ex: Stephen - Pronounced Stefan and not Steven). The people submitted do not have to currently reside in the I-35 Community. The names will be read over the loudspeaker and we'll encourage each person to stand (if they are in attendance) as their name is announced. Name submissions will close Thursday, 9/19/24, at 4:00 p.m.
Half-time Fun Giveaway - The I-35 Booster Club and All-Sports Sponsor, Stromax Construction, partnered to offer this fun T-shirt crowd toss. We’ll be tossing 20 Roadrunner blue shirts to the home crowd in the main stands. The shirts are in different sizes, so feel free to trade!
Thank you to everyone who’s helping make this entire evening a reality. We hope to see you there! Go Roadrunners!!
Military & First Responders Night Hype Video
