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BATTLESHIP ANNOUNCES SUSQUEHANNA BANK’S BLAST SPONSORSHIP; AUCTION TO FIRE GUN
SUSQUEHANNA BANK RETURNS AS THE PRESENTING SPONSOR FOR THE 2010 BATTLESHIP BLAST
CAMDEN, NJ – June 21, 2010 – The Battleship New Jersey announced today the return of Susquehanna Bank as the
“Presenting Sponsor” of the 8th annual Battleship Blast fund raiser on Saturday, July 3rd. The Battleship also announced the launch of an auction to fire the ship’s 5-inch gun to end the fireworks display on July 3rd.
“We are ecstatic to have our partner Susquehanna Bank back as the Presenting Sponsor for this year’s Blast,” said Jim Schuck, CEO and President of the Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial. “For the past several years, Susquehanna Bank has been a great supporter – not only here at the Battleship but throughout the Camden Waterfront. They have been a fantastic neighbor.”
“Susquehanna Bank appreciates the fact that strong nonprofit organizations play a key role in economic development, and so we are proud to support the Battleship New Jersey,” said Joseph Lizza, Susquehanna Bank’s Delaware Valley Division President. “In addition, the Battleship New Jersey provides a unique educational opportunity, which is another focus of our community support.”
Schuck also added that the Battleship is launching an email-based auction to allow guests the opportunity to fire the 5-inch portside (Philadelphia-side) gun at the end of the July 3rd fireworks display. “A lucky guest will literally pull the trigger and fire the 5-inch gun to end this year’s fireworks show over the Delaware River on July 3rd,” commented Schuck. “This is the same gun that was used effectively throughout the history of the USS New Jersey – from World War II to the Persion Gulf War – hitting targets up to 10 miles away. But not to fear, we are only shooting blanks! But they are loud and make a great flash!”
The bidding will start at $500, with the highest bid as of 8 pm on Saturday, July 3, winning the opportunity to fire the gun. Bidders must attend the Blast and be prepared to pay with their credit card. Bids can be emailed to firethegun@battleshipnewjersey.org. The leading bid will be placed on the Battleship’s website – www.battleshipnewjersey.org.
Money from the winning bid will go to the on-going preservation and maintenance of the Battleship New Jersey.
Besides Susquehanna Bank, other partners currently supporting the Blast include Aramark, Bowman & Company, Camden County, Philadelphia Newspapers Inc., Adventure Aquarium, Cleaned Rite, EPS, Jennings Technology, Pepsi, PREIT, Dietz & Watson, TD Bank, DRPA, UpcomingEvents.com, Food Circus, Garden State Mat Rental, and Parker McCay. Partnerships, which include tickets to a Surf n Turf BBQ and VIP fireworks viewing, are still available. Any interested organizations should contact Jack Willard at 856-966-1652 ext. 144 or j.willard@battleshipnewjersey.org.
The Battleship will open her decks at 6 pm for guests and sponsors to enjoy the Blast BBQ, which features a lobster and steak dinner, an open bar, and entertainment on the ship’s fantail. BBQ guests will also experience the fireworks at dusk
from special VIP areas on the ship. BBQ tickets are available as part of a sponsorship of the Blast or can be purchased individually for $175 per person. Anyone interested in purchasing a Blast BBQ ticket should call 1-866-877-6262 ext. 226.
The public can come aboard the Battleship’s decks at 6 pm and enjoy live music, featuring the Hypersonics performing on Turret One and Changes, a jazz band of students from throughout the Delaware Valley, on the pier. The Philadelphia Zoo on Wheels will also showcase some animals and offer a petting area on the Pier. There will also be mascots from area sports teams, face painting, temporary tattoos, food and beverage concessions and much more, all capped with the best view of the fireworks at dusk. Tickets to board the Battleship’s Decks are $10 per person. For those who just want to enter the Battleship
Pier, tickets are $7 per person. Tickets for fireworks viewing will be available at the Battleship Ticket Office or by calling 1-866-877-6262 ext. 107, or online at www.battleshipnewjersey.org.
Susquehanna Bank serves consumers and businesses through a network of more than 40 branches in southern New Jersey and the Philadelphia area. It is part of Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc., a financial services holding company with assets of approximately $14 billion and more than 220 branch locations in the mid-Atlantic region. Through Susquehanna Wealth Management, the company offers investment, fiduciary, brokerage, insurance, retirement planning, and private banking services. Susquehanna also operates an insurance and employee benefits company, a commercial finance company, and a vehicle leasing company. For more information, please visit www.susquehanna.net.
The Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial offers guided and audio tours daily, beginning at 9:30 am with the
last tour departing at 5pm. Take the Waterfront Connection Shuttle from Philadelphia to the Battleship. Just a $2 round-trip ticket will get you from Independence Visitor Center to the Camden Waterfront. The shuttles runs daily from 10:45 am to 6:30 pm. Spend the night aboard the Battleship as part of the Overnight Encampment program. Guests experience dinner and lunch from the crew’s mess, a tour of the ship, a ride on the 4D flight simulator and the opportunity to sleep in the bunks that the crew of the USS New Jersey once did. Also, special group packages and event/meeting space are available. For more information, call 856-966-1652 or visit the Battleship at www.battleshipnewjersey.org.
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