ALTOONA, Pa – The Altoona Curve are pleased to announce that an appearance by the Famous San Diego Chicken will serve as the marquee promotion at Blair County Ballpark on Friday, April 9, 2010 when Altoona takes on the Harrisburg Senators.
 
Widely considered the most famous sports mascot of all time, the Famous San Diego Chicken is largely credited as one of the visionaries that has helped shape the way sports entertainment is conducted in the modern era. 
 
“This, without question, will be one of the biggest events for the Altoona Curve in our 12-year history,” said Altoona Curve General Manager Rob Egan.  “The San Diego Chicken is the ultimate sports entertainer and has been for generations. Our fans will truly remember his appearance as one of the greatest nights they’ve ever enjoyed at Blair County Ballpark.”
 
The Famous San Diego Chicken will provide the ultimate entertainment experience to fans for the first Friday night home game of the 2010 season. A bevy of on-field acts and audience participation is expected.  “His engaging style is unlike anything our fans have ever experienced,” said Egan.  Moreover, The Chicken will sign autographs for fans at the start of the eighth inning.  He will sign until all autograph requests are met.  
 
The April 9 date of the appearance is also significant because it marks the 36th anniversary of The Chicken’s first appearance at a baseball game.  The now-wildly-famous mascot was hatched into the sport on April 9, 1974 at San Diego’s Jack Murphy Stadium as the Padres played their home opener against the Houston Astros.
 
To celebrate the appearance of the Famous San Diego Chicken in Altoona, fans can ensure their seats for the contest with purchase of The Chicken Ticket Plan, a five-game package with marquee games at Blair County Ballpark during the 2010 season. In addition to the April 9 game, fans will secure great seats for two fireworks nights, one giveaway promotion, and the Zooperstars’ appearance in 2010.  Fans purchasing season tickets, half-season, Weekender, and Eastern League Sampler mini-plans will have the April 9 game with The Chicken’s appearance as part of their packages.
 
“We want to make The Famous San Diego Chicken accessible to as many people as possible,” said Egan.  “Tickets for this night will be at a premium, so we would like to afford fans the opportunity to purchase them immediately.”
 
The Famous San Diego Chicken will be provided to Curve fans in conjunction with a partnership with nearby Tyrone Milling, Inc. located in Tyrone, PA.  Tyrone Milling specializes in the sale and manufacturing of animal feed, namely to chickens and other livestock.  “When we first learned The Chicken was coming to Blair County Ballpark, it was just a natural fit,” said owner and operator David Hershey.  “We’ve always been a huge supporter of the Altoona Curve and are happy to assist in bringing this ultimate sports entertainer to our region.”

THE FAMOUS SAN DIEGO CHICKEN – A BRIEF HISTORY
The San Diego Chicken was originally owned by San Diego, CA radio station, KBG, until the man who has donned the suit from the Chicken’s infancy in 1974, Ted Giannoulas, was “re-hatched” in 1979 and became the sole proprietor of The Chicken’s likeness.  
 
Giannoulas’ travels have taken him across the country where he has played to more than 60 million people in live attendances--a feat which ranks with the likes of the Rolling Stones, the Grateful Dead, Willie Nelson and the late Bob Hope. Like Hope, The Chicken has even been summoned to the company of United States Presidents.

In May 2001, The Chicken was asked by President Bush to perform at the celebrated, first T-ball game at the White House. In addition, years earlier, both President Reagan and President Ford had The Chicken help introduce them at public events from the podium.
 
His impact is such that The Sporting News editors named him as one of The Top 100 Most Powerful People in Sports of the 20th Century. He's on a list that includes Muhammad Ali, Babe Ruth, Jesse Owens, Pete Rozelle, Ted Turner and Wayne Gretzky among others.
 
ABOUT TYRONE MILLING
Built in 1826, Tyrone Milling Company Inc. started as a grist mill, grinding local wheat and other grains into flour. The Mill, located in Ironville, PA, was built alongside the Little Juniata River, which provided a steady water supply to power the horizontal waterwheel used in those early days.
 
In those early years the Mill became famous for its Golden Eagle brand flour. Then in 1947 the emphasis of the business changed from flour milling to feed manufacturing, and to this day the Mill is a major supplier of live stock feeds.
 
Tyrone Milling has always placed most of their emphasis on dairy feeds. In fact, Tyrone Milling was the first to offer complete feed programming to the local dairy industry which has improved feed efficiency and milk production on many local dairy farms.
 
The Mill has also expanded the business by opening a large retail store right inside the mill. The store, located on Route 453 South off Exit 48 on Interstate 99 in Tyrone, offers a wide selection of merchandise that will appeal to gardeners, wildlife enthusiasts, and pet owners.

VISIT THE TYRONE MILLING WEBSITE BY CLICKING HERE

For more information on the April 9 appearance by the Famous San Diego Chicken, or to purchase the new five-game, Chicken Ticket plan presented by Tyrone Milling, fans can call a Curve front office representative toll-free at 877-99-CURVE, or 943-5400.