The coronavirus pandemic wiped out the final season of International League baseball at McCoy Stadium in 2020. The Pawtucket Red Sox, though, will have a proper farewell to the city it called home for 50 years later this month as it prepares to move to Worcester in 2021.
From Oct. 15 through Oct. 18, the organization will host a “Final Weekend Celebration.”
The festivities include a 33-hour marathon celebration from Oct. 17 at 9 a.m. to Oct. 18 at 6 p.m. in honor of the historic 33-inning game played at McCoy Stadium in 1981. The contest still represents the longest game ever played in professional baseball.
The nonstop finale will follow city and state COVID-19 guidelines and will allow kids to run the bases, a Scouts' sleepover, batting practice for high school seniors and Slaterettes, and a Unity Fest wrapping up the weekend.
The celebration begins on Oct. 15 when the PawSox/Skeffington Foundation will host the inaugural PawSox Foundation Golf Classic at Pawtucket Country Club. The golf outing is sponsored by Navigant Credit Union. Registration has already started. Proceeds will benefit the community.
On Oct. 16, the PawSox will continue its Dining on the Diamond campaign, allowing fans to eat on field at McCoy Stadium.
The marathon farewell begins on Oct. 17. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., PawSox fans can walk the warning track, receive free PawSox gifts, and meet mascots Paws and Sox. Fans must pre-register on pawsox.com in order to participate and receive a time slot.
The celebration concludes with a community Unity Fest in partnership with Black Lives Matter Rhode Island. The event will promote racial justice and equality, and hopes to bring awareness to the creation of Pawtucket’s African-American Innovation Center, the first African-American Charter School in New England.
Dining on the Diamond will continue for those attending the event, which will also feature community entertainment featuring local speakers and gospel artists.
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