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A League of Their Own 30th Anniversary Celebration

A League of Their Own 30th Anniversary Celebration
Rockford Buzz

Rockford Buzz

Posted On: May 8, 2022

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Rockford celebrates their rich baseball history as A League of Their Own celebrates it’s 30th anniversary! July 4th weekend is full of Rockford Peaches celebratory events, all building toward the celebrity baseball game.


We're thrilled to have Megan Cavanagh (played Marla 'What a Hitter' Hooch) sharing her warmth and humor with the Rockford community again after having headlined the 75th Anniversary Celebration of the Rockford Peaches in 2018. Megan will be an integral part of our Celebration at all venues. She has proved to be a real League of Their Own fan favorite!


The International Women's Baseball Center (IWBC) and its League of Their Own 30th Celebration (LOTO30) Committee has chosen July 1st to kick-off this two-day party for Rockford because it will be 30 years to that the movie premiered - July 1, 1992.


*****The Suds Bucket Bash!*****

5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Friday, July 1, 2022

The Standard, 214 E. State St., Rockford, IL

$100 per person / 400 person capacity


The evening includes live and video entertainment, autograph and photo opportunities with Megan as well as players from the original Rockford Peaches and the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL). Special appearances by students from The Studio performing songs from this summer's debut of the original production of the "Girls of Summer" about the Rockford Peaches and pop-up 40s swing dancers hit the floor when you least expect it! Move over Madonna!


Who can forget that raucous Suds Bucket bar scene from A League of Their Own and Marla Hooch's boozy rendition of "It's Got to Be You"? Join us and Megan Cavanagh fora special 1940s party for 400 sponsors and guests on the top two floors of The Standard with rooftop patio views ofthe City and the Market below.


Guests can partake of appetizers and desserts catered by Greenfire, as well as cash bar offerings and Signature drinks from the Suds Bucket bars on both floors.


After Megan Cavanagh arrives by limo to meet the press and greet the crowd from the Pavilion Stage, Friday night's Celebration gets underway. The Market theme is everything "Peaches" - from food to special vendor merchandise. IWBC's 1940s Peaches-era bus will be parked adjacent to the Market for photo ops. The bus restoration's $100,000 goal is the focus of the LOTO30 Celebration and GoFundMe campaign.


Limited edition LOTO30 merchandise benefiting IWBC will be sold at the SPoRT booth in the lower level of the City Market building. IWBC's booth will host AAGPBL players signing autographs, Midway Village Museum joins the Rockford Park District in their booth with Rockford Peaches displays and children's activities celebrating baseball.


*****Friday Night Flix Showing of A League of Their Own*****

7:00 PM to Movie End, Friday, July 1, 2022

Davis Park, Rockford, IL

Free to the public


Friday Night Flix hosts a special showing of A League of Their Own, voted one of the top ten sports movies of all time. Pre-movie entertainment includes 1940s-era swing dancers recreating scenes from the movie at the Suds Bucket, along with students from The Studio performing songs from their upcoming original musical "Girls of Summer."


The International Women's Baseball Center will provide baseball-themed activities while kids are waiting for the movie to start and one small complimentary Peaches pennant will be handed out to the first 300 children under 12 as they enter the park. Vintage cars and trucks from the 40s and 50s will be displayed next to Davis Park for nostalgic photo ops with friends and family Just before the movie starts Megan Cavanagh, who played Marla Hooch, arrives to greet the crowd.


*****IWBC Meet & Greet at Beyer Park*****

10:00 AM to 11:30 AM, Saturday, July 2, 2022

15th Ave. and Seminary St., Rockford, IL

Free to the public


IWBC Board members will be set up on the actual grounds of the future $10 million museum site to talk to the public about their plans. AAGPBL players and Megan Cavanagh will be on hand to sign autographs ahead of the afternoon's Celebrity Softball Game.


Children's activities related to baseball in the STEAM Zone will be available for families to enjoy ahead of the afternoon Celebrity Softball Game.


*******Celebrity Baseball Game*****

12 Noon to 1:30 PM, Saturday, July 2, 2022

Beyer Park Field on Seminary St., Rockford, IL

Free to the public


Mayor Tom McNamara throws out the first pitch to start a rambunctious, but friendly, game of softball before adoring fans of the movie. The Opposing Team boasts local softball talent from RVC, the Screw City Sluggers, Rockford Park District, Rockford 60+ Softball and Midwest Aftershock Softball.


Play by Play Announcer Mike Peck, Sr. Director for Marketing & Content for the IceHogs, and Color Announcer Bob 'Mr. Baseball' Presman, will keep the audience laughing. Food and drink vendors will be on site offering a variety of ballpark fare.


Megan Cavanagh, who played Marla 'What a Hitter' Hooch, will join a local celebrity team Beyer field to reprise her 2018 appearance for the 75th Anniversary of the RockfordPeaches and the AAGPBL.


Events and details can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/ALeagueOfTheirOwn30

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