The Grizzlies will tour the Mid-South for their Fourth Annual Regional Caravan Tour, presented by Ghost River Brewing Co., set to tip-off on Saturday, Aug. 20 and continuing throughout August and September with six scheduled stops in Nashville (TN), St. Louis (MO), Little Rock (AR), Jackson (TN), Jackson (MS) and Memphis. This year’s tour includes participation from Nashville’s own Brandan Wright, first-round Draft Pick and Vanderbilt standout Wade Baldwin IV, forward JaMychal Green and forward DJ Stephens.
The players will join team mascot Grizz, members of the Grizz Girls and the Claw Crew on this year’s sports tour which includes visits to the MiLB's Arkansas Travelers, Jackson Generals, Mississippi Braves, and Memphis’ own Redbirds, while also caravanning to Busch Stadium in St. Louis and Nissan Stadium in Nashville, home of the Tennessee Titans. During these stops, the Grizzlies invite Grizz Nation fans of all ages to join them in celebrating the start of the 2016-17 NBA season. Fans attending these caravan stops will have the chance to get autographs, photo opportunities and participate in contests and games with the team’s players and personalities.
In addition to the sports tour, most scheduled stops will also include a free one-hour Jr. Grizzlies Basketball Clinic hosted by volunteer coaches and the scheduled player for each stop. Registration and will be capped at 100 participants per stop. Regional Caravan Jr. Grizzlies Basketball clinics are open to children ages 7-13. Day-of registration is also available 30 minutes before each camp starts at the designated location.
"Engaging and exciting our fans throughout the Mid-South is a vital and organizational tent-pole to grow our brand," said John Pugliese, vice president of brand, content marketing, communications and broadcast for the Memphis Grizzlies. "The caravan, along with our Jr. Grizzlies youth basketball programs, expanded TV and radio coverage and regional watch parties, fan clubs and social engagement platforms, serve as a vehicle for connecting Grizz Nation and creating new fans."
In addition, the Grizzlies have again partnered with the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau to offer fans at each regional stop some amazing prizes. Fans will have the opportunity to win a "Weekend to Memphis Getaway Package" for two at each of the sports tour caravan stops by signing up for Grizzlies E-News. The package includes a one-night hotel stay at The Peabody Memphis, tickets to a Grizzlies game, Grizzlies swag and passes to local Memphis attractions.
Fans can follow the Regional Caravan through its scheduled stops by checking Grizzlies.com, and all affiliated social sites of the Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz on Twitter and Instagram and "Memphis Grizzlies" on Facebook).
2016 Regional Caravan dates and locations
Wednesday, Sept. 14 - St. Louis, MO
St. Louis Cardinals vs. Cubs
When: 12:45 p.m. Appearance from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Ford Plaza inside Busch Stadium
Location: Busch Stadium 700 Clark Street St. Louis, MO 63102
Appearances: Grizz, Grizz Girls and Claw Crew
Jr. Grizzlies Basketball Clinic
When: from 4-5 p.m. (Registration at 3:30 p.m.)
Location: Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation (101 Jackie Joyner Kersee Circle; East St. Louis, IL 62204)
Appearances: Grizz, Grizz Girls and Claw Crew