The Albany County Convention and Visitors Bureau (ACCVB) and Hannaford Supermarkets presented the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York and the Times Union Hope Fund each with a $1,000 check outside the Palace Theatre in Albany, NY on Friday, March 11. The non-profits were the beneficiaries of the Hannaford MAAC-n-Cheese Fest held on March 4 in celebration of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Basketball Championships. The check presentations took place as the ACCVB and Times Union Center announced details of the NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey East Regional and College Hockey Fest 2016 in downtown Albany on Saturday, March 26 and Sunday, March 27. Pictured (L to R) are Holly Brown, Executive Director, Palace Theatre; Mike Spain, Associate Editor, Times Union; Bob Belber, General Manager, Times Union Center; Michele Vennard, President and CEO, Albany County Convention and Visitors Bureau; Dave Farrell, Store manager, Hannaford Supermarkets; and Mark Quandt, Executive Director, Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York;
The Albany County Convention and Visitors Bureau and Hannaford Supermarkets presented Jack’s Oyster House with the Hannaford MAAC-n-Cheese Fest “People’s Choice Award” at the Palace Theatre in Albany, NY on Friday, March 11. Jack’s BLT mac-n-cheese was voted the fan-favorite during the Hannaford MAAC-n-Cheese Fest held on March 4 in celebration of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Basketball Championships. Pictured (L to R) if Michele Vennard, President and CEO, Albany County Convention and Visitors Bureau; Brad Rosenstein, Owner, Jack’s Oyster House; Larry Schepici, Executive Chef, Jack’s Oyster House; and Dave Farrell, Store Manager, Hannaford Supermarkets.
College Hockey Fest to feature special screening of “Miracle” at Palace Theatre
Tournament returns to Times Union Center March 26 and 27
ALBANY, NY – The Albany County Convention and Visitors Bureau will celebrate the return of the NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey East Regional to downtown Albany with College Hockey Fest 2016 on Saturday, March 26 and Sunday, March 27.
The College Hockey Fest will feature a screening of the Disney movie Miracle at the historic Palace Theatre in downtown Albany on Saturday, March 26 at noon. The film is based on the legendary exploits of a group of college players who led the United States to one of the greatest and most celebrated upsets of all time in defeating the powerful Russian squad on their way to capturing the gold medal in the 1980 Winter Olympics.
Officials from the Albany County Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Times Union Center today gathered at the Palace Theatre to announce details of the upcoming film screening, which will take place prior to the start of the pair of East Regional semifinal games at the Times Union Center (schedule pending; see TimesUnionCenter-Albany.com for games times).
During the event, organizers also unveiled a series of results from the Hannaford MAAC-n-Cheese Fest which was held on March 4 in celebration of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Basketball Championships. The Albany County Convention and Visitors Bureau and title sponsor Hannaford Supermarkets presented the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York and the Times Union Hope Fund each with a check for $1,000 as the event beneficiaries. Additionally, fan-favorite restaurant Jack’s Oyster House received the People’s Choice Award for its BLT mac-n-cheese dish.
“College Hockey Fest 2016 is a great way for hockey fans to get ready to cheer on their favorite teams with this special showing of a film that truly celebrates the sport. We hope to see the same level of excitement and enthusiasm as we did for the MAAC Championships,” said Albany County Convention and Visitors Bureau President and CEO Michele Vennard. “We look forward to hosting tournament attendees for a weekend of championship hockey in downtown Albany.”
College Hockey Fest 2016 will also feature free family activities, including inflatables, face painting, juggling and balloon sculpture artists, with paid admission to the NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey East Regional. Activities will take place on the concourse of the Times Union Center on Saturday and Sunday.
The championship weekend will culminate in the East Regional Final on Sunday, March 27. The winner will qualify for the 2016 Frozen Four, which will be held on April 7 and 9 in Tampa, Florida.
“The Times Union Center is honored to once again host some of the best college hockey teams in the nation as they vie for a trip to the Frozen Four,” said Times Union Center General Manager Bob Belber. “We have been fortunate to host some remarkable moments in this building during its celebrated history, but perhaps none more memorable than when we witnessed Boston College capture college hockey’s national title in the Frozen Four. We are thrilled to welcome the sport and its dedicated student-athletes back to Albany to continue this outstanding college hockey tradition.”
“The Palace Theatre is excited to host hockey fans as the community celebrates the return of the NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey East Regional to downtown Albany,” said Palace Theatre Executive Director Holly Brown. “We encourage hockey and film fans alike to join us for a fun afternoon before taking in a doubleheader on the ice.”
Tickets to the Miracle film showing at the Palace Theatre are $5 for adults and $3 for kids 12 and under. Tickets are available by phone at (518) 465-4663, or in-person at the Palace Theatre Box Office at 19 Clinton Avenue. Admission to the movie is free with a ticket to the NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey East Regional.
Tickets for the NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey East Regional can be purchased in-person at the Times Union Center box office, by phone at 1-800-745-3000, and online at www.timesunioncenter-albany.com.
Sponsors of the College Hockey Fest include CHA, Dunkin’ Donuts, Gilbane Building Co., Hannaford Supermarkets, Mazzone Hospitality and Pioneer Bank.
Additional funding to host and promote the NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey East Regional was provided from Empire State Development/ I LOVE NY, which was awarded through the Regional Economic Development Council awards.