Last year the BlueClaws, for the first time, hosted three networking nights, a package called Nine Innings of Networking, and this program is back in 2010.

Each networking event (May 25th, July 20th, August 30th) is held in the OF picnic area and features a 90-minute buffet, business card raffles, presenters, and more.

For more information on Nine Innings of Networking:

• Click here for a pdf file on the program which includes bonuses for those that sign up for all three (presence on website, display table, Clawmerce admission)
• Click here for the official Nine Innings of Networking website
• Click here to follow Nine Innings of Networking on Twitter

The stage is basically set, as you can see here. There is another stage in the front of the ballpark for bands that will play until the gates open at 3 pm.

The order of events for Saturday’s 4th Wingstock Festival at FirstEnergy Park…

1-3 pm: Freeloaders Tailgate Party featuring Jupiter Jones (outside the park)
1-5 pm: Harley Hog Pit Bike and Classic Car Show voting in parking lot
3 pm: Doors Open
3-6 pm: Wings!
3:15: Live bands begin on main stages of the field
6 pm: King of the Wing, Classic Car and Harley Hog Pit Bike Show winners announced
6:15: Beatles tribute from Pat DiNizio of The Smithereens
7:15: Blue Oyster Cult
8:45: Foreigner

See you Saturday.

Ever wonder how FirstEnergy Park gets transformed into and out of one concert and then into and out of another, all in a seven day period?

We wanted to take you inside the ropes, behind the scenes (and any other metaphor you might deem appropriate), and we did that with this podcast (click here to listen).

So we sat down with the three people who make it all happen: head groundskeeper Ryan Radcliffe and special events managers Steve Farago and Lisa Carone.

• What’s the hardest part about setting up and taking everything down?
• Just how much floor gets used?
• What has to be done to the field?
• The weather?

It’s all in here. Enjoy.

Contained in here is absolutely everything you need to know about the 4th Wingstock Festival on Saturday. First, listen to an audio preview here, thanks to 105.7 The Hawk.

The Bands: Foreigner and Blue Oyster Cult (see below)
When: Saturday, gates at 3 pm
Where: FirstEnergy Park, Lakewood (on the field)
When: Saturday
Why: Why not?
How: Tickets here, in person at the BlueClaws Box Office, or at 732-901-7000

Also includes:

• Free chicken wings from local vendors, one of whom gets crowned King of the Wing
• Classic Car Show
• Hog Pit Bike Show

Now, just sit back and listen to the music:

Here are a bunch more. Enjoy.

The first THUNDERFEST is in the books, and as they take the stage away and port-a-floor away, here’s a great picture that sums up the night (of Jason Aldean).

The plan is to sit down with a few of the people who make this happen (not Aldean, sorry).

We’ll talk with those in charge of setting up the stage and the floor, then taking it down, and then setting it back up again for Wingstock, which is on Saturday. We’ll post that all here for you in the coming days.

Here you go…

1:45: Bullzeye
2:45: Julia Burton
4:00: Due West
5:15: Brady Seals (formerly of Little Texas)
6:30: Williams Riley
8:00: Jason Aldean

Enjoy!

Question: Have gently used kids merchandise lying around the house?
Question: Looking for a way to make some easy money?

If the answer is yes to these questions, then check out the Jersey Shore Kids Consignment Sale.

Jersey Shore Kids Consignment Sale bullet points:

• Consigners can bring in gently used kids merchandise (clothing, toys, games, etc…) that their kids no longer want or need
• Jersey Shore Kids Consignment will sell them at the JSKC Sale October 10th – October 12th at FirstEnergy Park
• Consigners keep 65% of all sales

Clean out the house and make some fast money. Can’t beat that. Visit the official site here.

One chance to see THUNDERFEST from a luxury suite. We’ve put a special suite for Sunday’s up on eBay (bid here). THUNDERFEST features Jason Aldean, Julia Burton, Ty Williams, Williams Riley, Brady Seals (formerly of Little Texas, and blog favorite), and more, and is an all-day country music festival this Sunday at FirstEnergy Park.

Your suite would include the following:

• $200 food credit
• Tickets for you and 19 friends
• A private room
• Climate control
• Cable television
• Indoor and outdoor seating

Good luck!

–

Mentioned the other day that blog friend and BlueClaws Special Events Manager Lisa Carone will be hosting this week with Captain Jack on Thunder 98.5. Tuesday, 3 pm. Listen at 98.5 on the FM dial or at www.thunder985.com.

Jason Aldean headlines, but Julia Burton, Ty Williams, Due West, Brady Seals (formerly of Little Texas) and more play. THUNDERFEST, an all-day country music festival is a week away, looking forward to it. Details in full here. Enjoy Jason Aldean.

PS. BlueClaws Special Events Manager and blog friend Lisa Carone co-hosts one day this week with Captain Jack on Thunder 98.5. Not sure what day yet, we’ll let you know.

First, take in the action at the Jersey Shore Boat Sale and Expo (details here). The Boat Show runs through Sunday if you can’t make it out today.

Then, BlueClaws baseball at www.shoresportsnetwork.com (1160 and 1310 AM as well)…We’ll probably be back on the Shore Sports Report in the 5 o’clock hour. We’ll let you know exactly what time when we find that one out. First pitch tonight, 7:05 pm.

There you go.

Obviously a lot going on with the baseball, but don’t forget about the boat show the BlueClaws will be hosting this weekend at FirstEnergy Park, the first Jersey Shore Boat Sale and Expo. The expo runs Friday, September 18th – Saturday, September 20th, 11-7 on Friday and Saturday and 11-6 on Sunday.

“Money is tight and we wanted to produce an affordable show for the dealers,” said Rick Traber, president of the Marine Traders Association/NJ and the owner of Pier 47 Marine. “It doesn’t cost a lot for the exhibitors to participate or the consumers to attend,” he said.

Over 35 boat different lines will be shown, offering consumers a one-stop-shopping opportunity to get a great deal on a new or used boat.

There will be displays both inside and outside of the ballpark as well, and on Saturday there will be fishing seminars.

Click here for a great article from the Asbury Park Press.

The first THUNDERFEST, our all-day country music festival in conjunction with Thunder 98.5, is coming to FirstEnergy Park…Jason Aldean, Julia Burton, Due West, Ty Williams, Brady Seals (formerly of Little Texas), and much more.

Our good friends at Thunder 98.5 have sent over a little audio preview (click here).

Tickets: $35 on the field, $30 GA, plus picnic and party deck tickets are available too…call 732-901-7000, opt 2, for ticket information. Now, enjoy the music (today’s selection, Jason Aldean on Jimmy Kimmel)…