The Seattle Thunderbirds are doing more than just opening their door in Kent.
They’re opening it as loudly as possible.
“We have lots of stuff going on. We’re want to jump into Kent with both feet,” said Ian Henry, the director of public and media relations for the Western Hockey League team that will take up residence in the new Kent Events Center this winter. “We want to be here, we want to jump in and let people know we’re coming to town.”
The T-birds will take a multiple-pronged approach to that game plan next week during the annual Kent Cornucopia Days festival, set for July 10-13.
Team mascot Cool Bird also will be a big part of the Cornucopia Days plans.
“We’re trying to announce our presence with authority,” Henry said.
The team also will be in the Cornucopia Days parade on Sunday, July 13.
The Thunderbirds are working on other details as they transition to their new home. Training camp is set for the Kent Valley Ice Centre, which also will be the site of the exhibition season finale against the Portland Winter Hawks on Saturday, Sept. 13 at 7:05 p.m.
They also are seeking billets – families to host a player in their home for the season. Players still of high school age will take classes at Kent-Meridian, according to Henry.
Henry said interns also are fanning out around the area with information packets and window clings. So far, the response has been generally positive.
“We’re making some headway,” Henry said. “They went into one place and the guy said, ‘Hey, I want to buy a suite.’ They’re talking to our sales staff right now.”
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