CBJ Celebrate Season Opener October 14 with Plaza Party presented by Nationwide
October 7, 2022
Article originally published on NHL.com, written by Blue Jackets Staff
The Columbus Blue Jackets invite fans to kick off the club’s 2022-23 season by visiting the Opening Night Plaza Party, presented by Nationwide, on Friday, October 14 before the Jackets host the Tampa Bay Lightning at 7 p.m. The party on the Front Street Plaza starts at 3:30 p.m. and game tickets are not required to attend.
A central attraction of the plaza party is the Nationwide “blue carpet” arrival of the Blue Jackets. Fans are invited to line up and welcome the players as they proceed across the plaza and into the front doors of Nationwide Arena. Arriving in Lexus vehicles, most players are expected between 4-5 p.m.
Other highlights of the night include live broadcasts of Sports Radio 97.1 The Fan’s Common Man & T-Bone Show from 3-6 p.m., followed by Bally Sports Ohio’s expanded edition of the Blue Jackets Live pre-game show hosted by Brian Giesenschlag and Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre starting at 6 p.m. on the Front Street Plaza.
Plaza party festivities also include beer trucks featuring Columbus Brewing Co. and Coors Light, face painters, balloon artists and live music by Columbus’ own The Orphan The Poet from 5-6 p.m. Fans can stop by Renewal by Andersen and Bally Sports’ tables to learn more about their products and services.
In addition to the beer trucks, fans can also try samples of Pepsi products, Athletic Brewing non-alcoholic beer and BioSteel. Once in the arena, mike’s Hard Lemonade will be available for sampling for guests ages 21 and over.
DORA will be activated in the Arena District starting at 4 p.m. with fans able to purchase alcoholic beverages to-go, served in a special DORA cup from participating locations. To learn more about DORA, visit www.arenadistrict.com/dora.
All fans are welcome to join the Union Blue March to Nationwide Arena starting at 6:15 p.m. at R Bar.
All fans attending the game will receive a 2022-23 schedule magnet courtesy of Nationwide. Arena doors open early at 5:30 p.m. and fans are encouraged to take their seats by 7 p.m. for the Opening Night show featuring individual player introductions. A special puck drop will include Blue Jackets fan, five-year-old Zavier Sexton who is mending after being struck by a vehicle in April.
