The Tampa Bay Lightning will welcome back fans to the St. Pete Times Forum on Tuesday, September 28, for its annual Ice Fest fan event, presented by Florida Central Credit Union, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Doors will open at 5 p.m. The first 500 individuals to enter the arena will receive a free "All In" Lightning t-shirt.
Among the most notable events of the evening include a charity hockey scrimmage between Lightning alumni and members of the Tampa Police and Fire Departments in honor of officers David Curtis and Jeffrey Kocab who were slain while proudly serving in the line of duty, beginning at 6 p.m. Other charitable efforts, including a donation bucket drive located at arena entrances, a Jersey Off Our Backs alumni auction and season ticket raffle will benefit the Curtis/Kocab Memorial Fund. In addition, all are encouraged to assist the Lightning Foundation by ordering Tampa Bay Lightning license plates or by purchasing new and player game-used hockey equipment that will be available for sale at the event.
Other activities include a question and answer session with Lightning players, Head Coach Guy Boucher and General Manager Steve Yzerman, a first-hand glimpse at team practice, an open skate with Thunderbug and the Lightning Girls, as well as a player autograph session. There will also be fun and games both inside the building and on the West Plaza for all ages, as well as food and beverage specials. Fans can also pick out the best locations for Lightning season tickets. Anyone purchasing season tickets at the event will also receive an equal number of tickets to see the Stone Temple Pilots, who will perform on Friday, October 8, at the St. Pete Times Forum as part of Lightning Launch weekend. The team will then open the 2010-11 regular season the following night on Saturday, October 9, at 7:30 p.m. against the Atlanta Thrashers.