Drone show, fireworks & bobbleheads: State College Spikes release list of promos
With an ongoing lawsuit between the State College Spikes and Penn State, uncertainty exists beyond the 2026 baseball campaign. But this season is still expected to play out as planned — and the Spikes just released their list of 2026 promotional events to reinforce that.
The issue between the university and the MLB Draft League team centers around whether the Spikes, which share Medlar Field at Lubrano Park with the Nittany Lions’ baseball team, have missed certain financial deadlines in a lease dispute. Penn State is trying to evict the team, while Spikes attorneys claim the lawsuit has “no merit.”
It’s not known how that might play out. But Wednesday’s annual release of the team’s anticipated promotional events lets fans know what to expect once the new season opens in June.
Here are the highlights, based on a Wednesday afternoon news release:
Drone Show
Friday, July 24: This is one of the headliners of the 2026 promotional slate and likely to be one of the hotter tickets, as this will mark the first-ever drone show at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park.
This will take place after the game with drone patterns lighting up the sky. And it will be performed by Star Flight, a Slatington-based business that’s about 160 miles east of State College.
Bobblehead Days
Sunday, Aug. 9 & Sunday, Aug. 30: A baseball promo schedule without bobbleheads is like a winter without snow — it just doesn’t feel right. So the tradition of Bobblehead Days will continue at the park, albeit a little different from past years.
Instead of a Penn State-themed player, the Spikes will instead feature bobbleheads of their mascots.
On Aug. 9, the first 1,000 fans will receive a bobblehead of The Nookie Monster, who used to cheer every Spikes run by coming out of the left-center field Nook and now does so next to the Spikes bullpen. And, on Aug. 30, the first 1,000 fans will earn a bobblehead of Ike the Spike, the team’s main mascot.
Fireworks
Let’s first make something clear: Yes, the beloved Central PA 4th Fest returns to the immediate area on July 4. And, yes, Medlar Field at Lubrano Park will again serve as a VIP Viewing Area. The Spikes will be on the road that day, but kids’ activities and live music will still be available.
Here is the full schedule for the more typical postgame fireworks shows hosted by the Spikes:
- Friday, June 5 (Home Opener)
- Saturday, June 6
- Saturday, June 20
- Saturday, June 27
- Friday, July 3
- Saturday, July 25
- Saturday, Aug. 8
- Saturday, Aug. 22
- Thursday, Aug. 27
- Tuesday, Sept. 1 (Regular-Season Finale)
The Fireworks Night on July 3 will double as Military Appreciation Night. The first 500 fans will also receive a red, white and blue hat (presented by Lion Country Kia).
‘Six Seven’ Night
Sunday, June 7: “It’s still a viral meme,” the Spikes insist — and, well, sure. For those who don’t have children, or aren’t “in the know,” the term 67 essentially represents an intentionally vague and/or meaningless word.
Kids had a lot of fun with it, and the Spikes are trying to take it to the next level.
How, you ask? Well, for one night, the Spikes will be referred to as the State College Six Seven Baseball Club, with accompanying jerseys that will later be auctioned off. Gametime will be 6:07 p.m. And, for fans who are 6-foot-7 or are 67 years old, they can buy Bullpen Box tickets for $6.70.
We’re not done yet either. On top of that, the first 670 fans through the gates will also receive a pair of Six Seven Sunglasses. Ten fans (really, Spikes?) will also receive $67 in gift cards via a Six Seven Sweepstakes and, if the Spikes score six runs in the seventh inning, one fan will win $6,700.
More wordplay is expected — and encouraged — at the game.
Visit from Pittsburgh Pirates’ mascot + more
Saturday, June 20: The Pittsburgh Pirates’ longtime mascot, Pirate Parrot, will join his fellow costumed mascots in the Pittsburgh Pierogies on the 20th anniversary date for the Spikes. The Pittsburgh Pierogies are typically known as in-game entertainment, as they race in every Pirates home game at the end of the fifth inning.
They’re visiting the Spikes on the date of the team’s 20th anniversary, given the long partnership between the two. The Spikes are currently the Pirates’ MLB Draft League Community Ally Partner, and the Spikes also previously served as the Pirates’ short-season Single-A affiliate from 2007-2012.
The Spikes are formally calling this day the “20th Anniversary Celebration with BuccoMania Night.”
Other notable events
- The Salute to Canada, from June 16-18, will entail a three-game series between the Spikes and the Canadian Junior National Team. Expect Canadian Music Night on June 16, followed by Maple Syrup Night on June 17 and Runner-Up Celebration Night on June 18.
- Buck Bleacher Night, where bleacher seats will cost just $1, will take place on Monday, July 27, on account of that being the only Monday home game all season.
- Bark in the Park, the days when fans can bring their dogs, will take place on Friday, June 19; Thursday, July 9 and Sunday, Aug. 9.
- For the National Coffee Month Celebration on Aug. 8, the first 500 fans through the gates will receive a Spikes Coffee Mug Giveaway presented by The Cheese Shoppe.
- Old School Baseball Night will take place on Sunday, July 5, and will feature “plenty of organ music and other throwback game presentation elements.”
- Walking Taco Tuesdays will continue from 5:30-7:30 p.m., with half-price Walking Tacos and half-price 16 oz. Miller Lite & Coors Light drafts.
- Glizzy & Wine Wednesdays will feature half-price hot dogs all game long and, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., there will be half-price 5-oz. glasses of wine and half-price Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy.
- Thirsty Thursdays will include $2 12-oz. drafts available from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
- Family 4-Pack Fridays will continue by charging $54 total for Four Diamond Club or Field Box seats, four hot dogs & four regular sodas. Half-price Michelob Ultra and Yuengling products will also be available from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
- Sunday Fundays will have half-price 16-oz. Hard Seltzer from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The first 250 kids also eat free with a hot dog, chips & soda, plus children can take part in a pregame catch on the field.
For a complete list of promotional events, or to purchase tickets, visit StateCollegeSpikes.com, call 814-272-1711 or visit the Spikes Team Office from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
This story was originally published April 8, 2026 at 5:50 PM.
