Following a busy weekend of action on the ice in Florida this weekend, the Philadelphia Flyers return to the Wells Fargo Center on Sunday for a different kind of event.
The 39th annual Flyers Wives Carnival takes place on Sunday afternoon from 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are still available on the Flyers website.
The Flyers Wives Carnival started in 1977 with the first taking place on Feb. 1. Started in honor of Barry Ashbee, the legendary Flyers defenseman who passed away from leukemia later that year. From then on, the Carnival has been about raising money for cancer research in Ashbee's memory.
The first Carnival in 1977 raised over $85,000. In 38 years, the Carnival has raised over $28 million.
The annual fundraiser has been a staple of the Flyers organization and a huge success. This year will be no different.
Doors will open at 1:30 p.m. for those with early admission tickets and at 3 p.m. for those with general admission tickets.
As per usual, some of the traditional activities at the Carnival are available to fans: autographs and photographs with your favorite players, the Shot on Goal, photo with the Stanley Cup, mystery bags and carnival games of all sorts around the concourse and floor of the Wells Fargo Center.
But this year, the Flyers have added some new additions.
Last year, you may remember the Flyers adding a new 15-foot ferris wheel to the floor as one of the carnival activities. The ferris wheel returns and this year a carousel has been added as well.
Between current Flyers players and alumni, there are plenty of great photo opportunities and autographs to go around. But this season, the Flyers are welcoming players of the future to the fold. The Lehigh Valley Phantoms will also be in attendance for autographs and hosting games around the concourse.
For fans who already have tickets or purchased their tickets early, another new addition to the Carnival was the ability to purchase several activities and autographs in advance.
The Flyers are placing four of their most recognizable players — Claude Giroux, Jake Voracek, Wayne Simmonds and Steve Mason — in combo booths that were available for pre-sale. These tickets allow for two autographed items and a photo with the player of your choice. All of these opportunities are already sold out.
In addition to the combo booths, a staple of Flyers Carnivals in years past, the Flyers opened the option for pre-sale for autographs from any player.
You can also pre-order your mystery bag — adult or child — and photo with the Stanley Cup.
A full schedule of locations for the players is available at the Flyers website and lists the entrance points for autographs and photographs.
Have a favorite memory from Carnivals in years past? Make any new memories today? Tell us on Facebook, Twitter and in the comments.
Enjoy the Carnival, Flyers fans, and remember the cause you support with your support of the Orange and Black.
Kevin Durso is managing editor for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.
