Tickets and t-shirts for the 2015 Salt Bowl, the annual football showdown between Bryant and Benton, will go on sale Monday, Aug. 3 at all Big Red Stores in Saline County. Tickets are $10 each and include a Salt Bowl t-shirt.
Fans are urged to buy their tickets and t-shirts early. Tickets are available at the gate on the day of the game for $8, but that price does not include the t-shirt. Only AAA passes will be accepted.
Also, beginning Monday, anyone can go to Everett Buick GMC and sign up to be in the drawing for a chance to Throw for a Truck. Sign up between Aug. 3 and game day. Names will be drawn on the day of the game and the participants will Throw for a Truck at halftime.
The 2015 Salt Bowl will be played on Friday, Sept. 4, at 7:30 p.m., at War Memorial Stadium and will be a continuation of the 2014 Salt Bowl that ended in a 14-14 tie. The theme for Salt Bowl 2015 is #Unfinished Business.
“The committee is excited about this year’s game and the festivities surrounding it,” said spokesman Shane Broadway. “Once again, we are attempting to attract a record crowd of 30,000. Benton will be the home team this year and will sit on the west side of War Memorial Stadium.”
The committee has also established a website, www.saltbowlar.com. The game can also be followed on Twitter @SaltBowlAR, using the hashtags #UnfinishedBusiness and #30K, and can be found and “liked” on the Salt Bowl Facebook page to stay up to date on all activities.
Fans can also go to Chick-Fil-A in Bryant and sign up for the chance to be Kickin’ for Chicken. Sign up between Aug. 3 and game day, when contestants’ names will be drawn and they will be given the opportunity to kick a field goal at halftime to win a year’s supply of chicken from Chick-Fil-A.
“The Salt Bowl Committee is also pleased to be working again with three great organizations to give back to our community: the American Cancer Society, the Arkansas Rice Depot, and the American Red Cross,” Broadway mentioned.
The American Cancer Society will have its annual “Celebrity Waiter” event on Monday night, Aug. 10 at 5 p.m. at Larry’s Pizza in Bryant.
“Come out and enjoy a great night of pizza, meet local celebrity waiters and waitresses, and give generous tips to help bring the fight to cancer,” Broadway said.
The Arkansas Rice Depot will be partnering with Skippy Foods for the annual Peanut Butter Drive from Aug. 20 through Sept. 3 to provide food for those in need in the community. Bryant and Benton schools will be competing to see who can donate the most peanut butter, and then Skippy Foods will again provide a matching gift.
Saline County Banks and Credit Unions have already started their own competition to assist the Rice Depot. The Beenie Weenie Battle of the Banks is a competition to collect the most cans of Beenie Weenies at their locations.
“Go by your local bank or credit union and give the gift of Beenie Weenies and help out your favorite institution win the title,” urged Broadway.
The American Red Cross will be holding Blood Drives at both high schools. The Benton High School blood drive will be held on Sept. 29, and the Bryant High School Blood Drive will take place on Sept. 30. Both schools will be competing to see which school can donate the most pints of blood.
A coaches’ and players’ press conference will be held at War Memorial Stadium at 6 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 31. Coach Paul Calley, Coach Scott Neathery and two players from each team will be available to speak about this year’s game.
There will be two community pep rallies at Everett Buick GMC the week of the game. The Bryant Community Pep Rally will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 1, at 6 p.m., and the Benton Community Pep Rally will be held on Wednesday Sept. 2, at 6 p.m., as well. There will be free hot dogs and drinks at each rally.
“On game day, join us for the Academy Sports and Outdoors’ Tailgate Party on the east side of War Memorial Stadium,” Broadway said. “Beginning at 5 p.m., Saline County banks and credit unions will be passing out free hot dogs and drinks, and over 50 vendors will be set up to visit with and enjoy. If you are interested in a booth space, contact the Benton Chamber of Commerce at 501-860-7004.”
Pre-game festivities will begin at 7 p.m. with recognition of the Future Bryant Hornets and Future Benton Panthers and cheerleaders, as well as our Community Service Awards, the Rob Patrick Award and the Donnie Burks Award, all sponsored by Bryant Braces.
The Honorary Captain conducting the coin toss will be Charlie Staggs, who recently retired as General Manager of War Memorial Stadium.
At halftime, the cheer and dance squads will perform, the Benton and Bryant bands will again perform together, and the Kickin’ for Chicken and Throw for a Truck contests will be held.
“Salt Bowl 2015 #Unfinished Business would not be possible without the support of our community and our great sponsors,” Broadway asserted. “The sponsors this year include Big Red Stores, Everett Buick GMC, General Motors, Jones Heating and Air, Bryant Braces, Skippy Foods, Chick-Fil-A, Academy Sports and Outdoors, Arkansas Copier, Saline County Regional Solid Waste Management District, Bin There Dump That, Ortho Arkansas, Republic Services, Saline Memorial Hospital, Chris Kinzler, Super Cuts, Saline County Banks and Credit Unions, Bryant Chamber of Commerce, and the Benton Chamber of Commerce.”
