Colorado Avalanche: Stadium Series Entertainment

The Colorado Avalanche is meeting the once-rival Detroit Red Wings in the middle of Coors Field for the latest in the NHL’s Stadium Series games.

Fans attending the Stadium Series game — and preceding Alumni Game — at between the Colorado Avalanche and Detroit Red Wings are already hyper excited. Indeed, those who can’t attend but will be watching from home are also ready to be entertained.

For those going to the game, the spectacle alone would probably be enough. After all, you never know what’s going to happen during an outdoor hockey game. The weather alone is enough to add a certain filip to the event. Plus, as Matt Duchene once pointed out, pond hockey is the purest form of the sport.

However, Coors Light and the Colorado Avalanche have also planned a host of activities to entertain crowds at Coors Field and its environs.

Spectator Plaza

Coors Light is the title sponsor of the NHL Stadium Series game in Colorado — which is appropriate considering it’s taking place in Coors Field and Coors is produced in Colorado.

Coors Light is also sponsoring three tents in Spectator Plaza as part of the free fan festival in front of the stadium. One of the tents is going to feature a “media mountain” complete with social media connections and a bar. Another tent is for gamers, featuring as it does video games and bubble hockey. The third tent is housing a live DJ.

Television stations will also be broadcasting from the fan festival. Spectator Plaza is open from 1:00 to 5:00 pm on Friday and 2:00 to 6:00 pm on Saturday.

Stadium Series gear is also going to be for sale at shops both inside and outside Coors Field. The main store is located between Gates B and C inside the stadium. There will also be a merchandise shop in Spectator Plaza.

Here’s a hint of what’ll be available.

In-Game Entertainment

The in-game entertainment for the Stadium Series game is set for a cause. The entertainments has been organized to be a tribute to Denver’s first responders and the entire state of Colorado. (If you don’t know by now, we’re all inordinately proud of our state, whether native or adopted.)

Multi-platinum singer Andy Grammar is going to open the game with a performance of some of his best-known songs. While a playlist hasn’t been confirmed yet, this is a possibility for one of those songs:

During regular Colorado Avalanche games, Jay Schroeder sings the national anthem. This isn’t a regular game, though, so the organizers have tapped actress/singer Amber Riley to sing the “Star Spangled Banner.” For a little extra panache, two air Force F-16s are going to fly over the field directly afterward. (Peterson Air Force Base isn’t far away, after all.)

Here’s Amber Riley:

A popular rock band, The Fray (the members of which hail from Denver), is taking the stage for the first intermission. They’ll play a set of some of their hits. Here’s an example:

For the second intermission, the United States Air Force Marching Band is going to perform “America the Beautiful,” which was inspired by Colorado’s own Pike’s Peak. I don’t know if you’ve ever seen a professional marching band, but this isn’t your high school shenanigans. Check it out:

At the conclusion of the game (Colorado Avalanche win, of course), the organizers are going to produce a pyrotechnics show set to music. (Personally, I’m hoping for some

Rammstein inspiration

, but I’m sure it’ll be fun either way.)

Related Story: Avs-Wings Rivalry Revisited in Alumni Game

Matt Duchene Auction

Colorado Avalanche center Matt Duchene will not be auctioning off himself, but he will be auctioning off his special skates after the Stadium Series Game:

Duchene has had a pair of ice skates custom made — with some super cool blue blades. After the game, they’ll be up for auction. The money collected from the auction is going to be used for the charity CureSearch, which aims to end childhood cancer. The money will be donated in the name of childhood cancer survivor — and personal friend of Duchene’s  — Haven Anderson.

Next: Original Wild Stallion, Ozolinsh

There’s a lot going on in LoDo this weekend for the Stadium Series. Don’t forget to check out our coverage of the best bars for tailgating and the Alumni Game!