BEACH BALL

‘Boardwalk Eats’ offers shore-themed foods & fun for Phillies fans

PHILADELPHIA » Can’t squeeze in a trip to the beach for your favorite shore spot delectables? How about Citizens Bank Park?

The Phillies kicked off summer a few days early Monday night prior to the 7:05 p.m. Phillies game against the St. Louis Cardinals. Fans and media members arriving early to the game were treated to a Beach Bash to unveil the new Boardwalk Eats food court inside Citizens Bank Park, and provided a sneak peek at all that’s new in Phillies land this season.

Those who want a taste of the shore closer to home this summer, can head over to the Phillies new Boardwalk Eats concession area located on the Left Field concourse, which was launched Monday night by the team and Aramark. Boardwalk Eats will offer foods steeped in local seashore tradition, including specialty burgers, hot dogs, sausages,

funnel cake, fudge, salt water taffy, caramel corn, ice cream, boardwalk fries, carmel corn, and much more, including cookie dough and jumbo barbecued turkey legs. There’s even a secret menu that fans can unlock on their free Ballpark app by going to the FAQ section and searching for a “secret menu” trivia question that will unlock it.

On July 3-4, the Phillies are offering a “Boardwalk Eats Summer Steal,” a $30 game ticket that includes a concession credit of up to $12 to be used at Boardwalk Eats, or elsewhere in the ark, to promote the new area.

In addition to the new shore-themed food items, Phillies fans have other new culinary options this year throughout the Park, including vegan cheesesteaks and a new bar with frozen cocktails, an outpost of local chain P.J. Whelihan’s. Additionally, the Phillies added cashless transactions when ordering from seats. Instead of handing cash to the strolling vendors, fans can now use a credit card to pay for some items. Citizens Bank Park added self-ordering kiosks last season behind Section 126 where people can just swipe a credit or debit card at a color-coded kiosk, grab the receipt, and head to the pick-up area where their food will be ready.

In addition to offering samples of the boardwalkthemed foods, Monday’s beach party showcased the latest in “Phillies Phashion.” Phillies broadcasters, local media personalities, Phillies alumni, Phillies Ball Girls and Phillies’ wives with their children walked the fashion show runway to beach-themed music by The Beach Boys and Jimmy Buffet. Models included Phillies alumni Larry Andersen, John Kruk, Greg Luzinski and Mickey Morandini; Phillies Wives’ Brittany Arrieta, Stephanee Neshek, Brittany Santana and their children; Phillies broadcasters’ Scott Franzke, Gregg Murphy, Tom McCarthy and his son Tommy McCarthy.

Phillies First Baseman Carlos Santana received a welcoming applause by fans when he walked the runway with his two young children. But, perhaps, the model who received the loudest applause, was the Phillie Phanatic, dressed in his trademark summery Hawaiian shirt.

Speakers and emcees at the event included Scott Palmer, Phillies director of public affairs, Scott Brandreth, Phillies director of merchandise, Stephanie Nieland, coordinator of Phillies theme nights, Kevin Tedesco, Aramark general manager at Citizens Bank Park, Francis Winkey, Aramark retail senior manager at Citizens Bank Park and Vonnie Negron, Aramark executive chef at Citizens Bank Park.

Guests were the first to hear about this summer’s hottest giveaways, theme nights and promotions at the ballpark, and were able to take photos with a giant 6’ tall Phillies sandcastle, play corn hole, try out the dunk tank, enjoy live music by the Beach Bumz, get their face painted, have a caricature drawn and more. Upcoming special nights include a Salute to Veterans on July 4; Brews and Baseball on June 28, July 23, Aug. 2 and Sept. 12; Christmas in July on July 25; and Marvel Super Hero Day on Aug. 29.

Citizens Bank Park is at 1 Citizens Bank Way, Philadelphia. To learn more about the park and the Philadelphia Phillies and purchase tickets, go to www.phillies.com.

PHOTOS BY PEG DEGRASSA – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Sports commentator/journalist Gregg Murphy wows the crowd at the Phillies Phashion Show Monday night at Citizens Bank Park as he walks the runway in a two-piece Phillies suit.

Phillies Ball Girls, left to right, Mairead Denton of Gwynedd Valley, Megan DiRubbio of Smyrna, Del, and Kim Jackson of Doylestown, were busy during the launch of the Boardwalk Eats section of Citizens Bank Park Monday night. The Ball Girls served samplings of the Boardwalk-themed foods, walked in the fashion show, performed some beachball theatrics and helped with other fun activities at the event.

The Phillie Phanatic gives a big hug to Connie Cossaboom of Bridgeton, N.J., during the fashion show unveiling this summer’s new fashions and foods in the all-new Boardwalk Eats section of Citizens Bank Park.

The Southwest Burger, Bacon Burger and Deluxe Burger are among the many choices in the new Boardwalk Eats food court by Left Field in Citizens Bank Park.

“Good Day Philadelphia” cohost Alex Holley of Fox-29 struts down the catwalk sporting her Phillies wear and cap during the unveiling of the new Boardwalk Eats at Citizens Bank Park.