Thanksgiving weekend opens with a traditional Waterloo Black Hawks rivalry game against the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders at Young Arena, then wraps up Sunday, November 29th with a fun-filled, high-energy event benefitting Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity.
Battle the Black Hawks X will be held at Maple Lanes Bowling Center (2608 University Avenue) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Put your favorite Black Hawk players to the test with friendly competition in a sport they don't play every day. Since its inception, Battle the Black Hawks has helped improve housing opportunities in Northeast Iowa while simultaneously providing fans a unique opportunity to interact with the team.
"Hockey on Thanksgiving has been part of the experience for players and fans for a long time, but recently, this has become another November event that everyone looks forward to," said Black Hawks President and Chief Operating Office Joe Greene. "Maple Lanes has been a great partner for a long time, and we look forward to wrapping up Thanksgiving weekend doing something good – and fun – for the sake of Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity."
Lace up your bowling shoes, put your ball on the rack, then let it roll in this modified bowling competition. The event is based on Mad Games' "Battle of the Lanes," which switches the format from traditional bowling to a medieval-themed, fortress-based game on the video scoring screens. The objective is to destroy the castle displayed on your opponent's monitor; the size of the boulder catapulted from screen to screen is determined by the number of pins knocked down with each shot that you throw. Whether you are striking or splitting, all you need is the pin count to take out the opposition, with small groups of fans pitted against rotating groups of Black Hawks players.
Registration is $20 for adults and $15 for kids 18 and under. That fee covers bowling, shoes, and a contribution to Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity. Sign up beginning next week at the Black Hawks' front office or on game night at the Rydell Fan Service table when the Hawks play home games November 20th, 21st, and 26th. Registrations will also be accepted beginning at 10:30 a.m. on the day of the event. Individual fans, as well as small groups of two or three can sign up.
Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity has served over 500 families through homeownership and critical home repair programs since 1990. The organization is active in Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, and Butler Counties. Families and individuals who are in need of a hand-up, partner with Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity to build or improve a place they can call home. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Community members can help via financial support, volunteering, or adding a voice to highlight the need for affordable housing. Through homeownership, resilient neighborhoods, and community collaboration, Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity works to empower. To learn more, visit www.WeBuildHabitat.org.
The Black Hawks visit the Youngstown Phantoms this weekend, but return to Young Arena on Friday, November 20th to host the Sioux Falls Stampede. Tickets for all Black Hawks home games are available from tickets.waterlooblackhawks.com or by calling the Domino's Black Hawks Box Office at (319) 291-7680.
