Rays Senior Prom for Senior Citizens to Become Annual Event

You’ve probably seen the Pepsi commercial where Rays third baseman Evan Longoria suggests to Detroit’s Johnny Damon a “Senior Prom for Seniors Citizens.” I never really knew what that commercial was all about, but I always thought that suggestion was as funny as the Rays new BRaysers plaid blazers. Well, the Rays took that line from the commercial and ran with it, hosting a Senior Prom for Senior Citizens last week after their afternoon game Wednesday.

The turnout was fabulous — 2,500 people showed up to participate — and as Ben Maller points out, the Rays will make the senior prom an annual event.

So what made the event special? According to WTSP, “The music and scoreboard graphics also took fans back to an older era. Boutonnieres and corsages were provided as well. Ushers dressed in tuxes and prom dresses while Elvis and Frank Sinatra impersonators entertained.” Here are a few pictures courtesy of Sharing Florida in case you missed it:

Between the Senior Prom and their weekend night club at The Trop, the Rays have to win some sort of award for creative promotions. They’re owning.

Sources:
Rays Tales: Adventures in plaid [St. Petersburg Times]
TV commercial inspires huge turnout for “MLB Senior Prom” [Ben Maller]