Kick Off Party Update
I bet a lot of you are already aware – but the forecast for Friday is suppose to be – well very Early Rapids Season-ish! Meaning High 35 and 80% chance of snow. Stoopid Old Man Winter!

What that means is, there’s a very good chance we’re going to be moving the party into the Cantina.
It will still start at 4PM – and you’ll be able to go down to check out the perspective from the terraces. But three hours of the party followed by two hours of the game is a bit much – even for an Upstate NYer like me.
If the weather people get it REALLY wrong, and we all know that happens as often as not, enter through gate B on the east side, otherwise just enter through the Cantina.
Let me also give you a heads up about all the different things you can bid on and get raffle tickets to:
First, when you come in, be sure to get a ticket for door prizes – no purchase necessary. The following are for door prizes:
* Certificate for two tickets to the World Cup of Wine and Beer in July
* A Pregame Pennant that the Rapids exchange with opposition in International Games
* A 2010 team signed mini soccer ball
* An Addidas duffle bag
* A Formal Invitation for the opening gala of Dicks Sporting Goods Park (like they would send to someone like Don Garber) from the Inaugural season at DSG Park.
* Four tickets to the 2010 opening game
* A 2005 Team signed soccer ball
We also are having a 50/50 raffle which also includes a lot of great prizes. If you’re unfamiliar with a 50/50 raffle, basically, half of all the money collected from ticket sales, is the grand prize (the other half goes to the Supporters Group to use for expenses for the season). In addition to the ability to win the grand prize in this raffle, you have a chance to win:
* A Certificate that makes you the Honorary Captain for a Match
* A game worn Drew Moor Jersey
* A signed John Spencer mini poster
* A Heritage Night mini poster with Clark and Casey – signed by both players
* A signed Terry Cooke Heritage Night mini poster
* A signed Kosuke Kimura Heritage Night mini poster
* A Heritage Night mini poster signed by both Mastoreni and Casey
* A 2009 team signed soccer ball.
Note – you can only win one prize in the 50/50 raffle. The tickets are $5 for one ticket and $20 for four. You can buy as many as you like.
We also will be having items up for silent auction. The following are the things we will have for silent auction and the opening bids:
* Signed pair of Kosuke Kimura cleats $30
* 2010 Team-signed blue jersey $60
* 1999 team signed Mitre ball $75
* 2010 team-signed ball $60
* 2009 Team signed burgandy jersey $60
* Complete “Third Kit” including jersey, shorts, and socks $75
* Small burgandy Women’s Jersey $50
* Certificate to get your picture taken with the Starting XI before a match $50
* $100 Electronic Crayon gift certificate (Tattoo & Body Piercing)$50
* 2006 team signed ball $50
* Big signed Pablo Mastroeni Poster $30
* Arsenal jersey signed by Freddie Ljungberg $100
* 2010 Sounders team signed Pregame Jersey $65
* USA World Cup T-Shirt signed by Casey Keller $40
* Yanks World Cup T-Shirt signed by Casey Keller $40
* FIFA 2010 Xbox 360 $20
If you cannot make it but would like to be part of the auction or raffle, email me. You can give me your bid instructions or buy raffle tickets before hand. If you are at the party and buy a ticket but want to wander or leave, be sure to write your name and contact email on the ticket in case you win.
This event is responsible for a big chunk of our annual budget. It takes a significant amount of money to run the Supporters groups and this year we had to replace a tent and grill. So come ready to support your supporters clubs – Class VI and Centennial Firm. We can take cash, checks, or even credit cards (we’ll have to access the NoFanAlone.com paypal account from a web phone). It’s going to be a lot of fun – see you there!!!
Finally, a BIG thank you goes to Josh Vaisman who has put a tremendous amount of work into making this all happen. Great job Josh!







