The Chicago Blackhawks, in conjunction with the Mayor’s Office of Special Events, will host a special road watch party for fans at the Chicago Country Music Festival in Grant Park on Saturday, October 3 beginning at 10:30 A.M., while the team takes on the Florida Panthers in Helsinki, Finland as part of NHL Premiere 2009.
“The Chicago Blackhawks play an exciting brand of hockey that brings people together and is great for the spirit of our city,” said Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley. “We’re proud of the way they represent both the great tradition of the franchise and all the people of Chicago. Watching the game in Grant Park is a great opportunity to bring our residents together to introduce the game of hockey to a new generation of fans.”
Fans are encouraged to join the Tommy Hawk, the Blackhawks Ice Crew and the Blackhawks Street Team to kick off the 2009 Country Music Festival and watch the regular-season contest on a large screen in the Band Shell. The festival, taking place Saturday and Sunday in Grant Park, features three music stages, a Dance Stage, art fair, and farmer’s market, and is headlined by two-time Grammy nominee Miranda Lambert.
The Blackhawks join the Detroit Red Wings, St. Louis Blues and Florida as one of four National Hockey League teams selected to participate in “NHL Premiere,” which launches the 2009-10 regular season. The Blackhawks and Panthers will play home-and-home games at Hartwall Arena in Helsinki, Finland, on Fri., Oct. 2 (TV: Comcast SportsNet; Radio: WIND-AM 560) and Sat., Oct. 3 (TV: Comcast SportsNet; Radio: ESPN Chicago AM 1000). The Oct. 2 contest will mark the Blackhawks first-ever regular-season game in Europe.