Trash Pandas will go to Heartland in 2026 season promotions
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 By Bob Labbe  
Published 6:02 am Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Trash Pandas will go to Heartland in 2026 season promotions

MADISON – The official lineup of promotions and special appearances for the upcoming 2026 Rocket City Trash Pandas season is available and features a record number of what fans have been known to love. The schedule will also feature a local longstanding band as it celebrates the 20-year anniversary of one of the best love songs in music history.

“I love our gate giveaway schedule this year. There are items I’ve wanted to include for years, and I can’t wait to see how our fans react when we unveil all of the designs,” said Ricky Fernandez, Senior Director of Marketing and Promotions.

The premium giveaways this season come in an array of shapes and forms and will include jerseys, Bobbleheads, cowboy hat, flag, blanket, caps, beer stein, magnets and even a snow globe. The promotion schedule begins Friday, April 3. Besides the great baseball on the beautifully groomed playing field, the Trash Pandas take pride in hosting superb fan-friendly promotions and special events which leads to the corresponding numbers listed among the promotion highlights: 26- fireworks nights; 20- giveaways; 33- theme nights; 11- special appearances; 6- specialty jersey auctions; 5- bobble heads.

Though the season is still two months away, those in the know indicate this is a perfect time to scour the season or weekly promotions on deck and find your favorites. The season’s weekly promotions include: Tuesdays-Tail Waggin’ Tuesday; Wednesdays- Wine Wednesday; Thursdays- Throwback Thursdays; Fridays & Saturdays- Fireworks; Sundays- Player Autographs & Kids Run The Bases.

The special appearances include a variety of special guests throughout the 2026 season. Each appearance includes pre-game on-field participation and a meetand- greet on the Bill Penney Toyota Concourse during the game. Highlighting the exceptional list of appearances will be Paul Sidoti on Saturday, April 4. The 54year old Sidoti has been lead guitarist and vocalist since 2007 with 14-time Grammy Award-winning and possibly the most popular music star on the planet Taylor Swift. He will be part of “ERA Night” at Toyota Field.

On a night with a grand local flavor, Saturday, May 2 will be “Country Night” and will feature a cowboy hat giveaway and a pregame concert by the longstanding local band Heartland who in 2026 is celebrating the 20-year anniversary of its 2006 No. 1 hit “I Loved Her First,” regarded as one of the best love songs in music history. Founded in 1994 by brothers Craig and Todd Anderson, of Harvest, and one of their best friends, Mike Myerson, along with lead vocalist Jason Albert, the young band played at Alabama’s June Jam in 1997 and finally secured a record contract in Nashville in 2006 when they hit the top of the charts with their signature hit tune which has become a favorite father-daughter song to dance to at wedding receptions for numerous brides and their fathers. The song was written by Walt Aldridge and Elliott Park.

The group disbanded in 2012, but was re-established in 2023 by the Anderson brothers and Myerson and now includes lead vocalist Lance Horton.

Premium Giveaways

Unless otherwise noted, giveaways are first-come, first-served and distributed when gates open 65 minutes before first pitch. All promotions are subject to change.

• Friday, April 3 – 2026 Magnet Schedule (3,000 fans)

• Tuesday, April 14 – Zach Neto Replica Jersey (1,000 adults) presented by Storm Guard Roofing

• Tuesday, April 28 – James Spann Bobblehead (1,000 adults) presented by SportsMED

• Thursday, April 30 – Home Plate Door Mat (1,000 fans) presented by Hughes Properties

• Saturday, May 2 – Cowboy Hat (1,000 adults) presented by Jack’s Western Wear

• Sunday, May 3 – Lunáticos Day Flag (1,000 fans) presented by Telemundo

• Sunday, May 24 – Harry Potter Fleece Blanket (1,000 adults)

• Sunday, June 7 – Armed Forces Red, White & Blue Cap (1,000 adults) presented by SAIC

• Tuesday, June 16 – Hawaiian Shirt (1,000 adults) presented by Attain at Bradford Creek

• Thursday, June 18 – Youth Soccer Jersey (1,000 kids) presented by Huntsville Compounding Pharmacy

• Wednesday, July 1 – Patriotic SPROCKET Bobblehead (1,000 fans) presented by Capital Trailways

• Thursday, July 2 – Youth Patriotic Jersey (1,000 kids) presented by NUCOR TUBULAR- DECATUR

• Saturday, July 11 – Luchador Mask Giveaway (1,000 fans)

• Wednesday, July 22 – Adult Trash Pandas Football Jersey (1,000 adults) presented by NUCOR TUBULAR-DECATUR

• Thursday, July 23 – Champion Beverage Belt (1,000 fans)

• Saturday, July 25 – Snow Globe (1,000 fans)

• Thursday, August 20 – Nelson Rada Gold Glove Bobblehead (1,000 adults) presented by Bill Penney Toyota

• Saturday, August 22 – Beer Stein (1,000 adults, 21+)

• Sunday, August 23 – Lunáticos SPROCKET Sugar Skull Bobblehead (1,500 fans) presented by Early Services

• Thursday, September 3 – SPROCKET Motorcycle Bobblehead (1,500 fans) presented by Redstone Harley Davidson

• Saturday, September 5 – 2027 Magnet Schedule (5,000 fans)

• Sunday, September 6 – Building Block SPROCKET (1,500 fans)

Special Appearances

Toyota Field will host a variety of special guests throughout the 2026 season. Each appearance includes pre-game onfield participation and a meet-and-greet on the Bill Penney Toyota Concourse during the game.

Scheduled appearances include:

• Saturday, April 4 – Paul Sidoti (Taylor Swift’s lead guitarist since 2007 on In My Trash Pandas ERA Night)

• Friday, May 1 – Star Wars Characters (Star Wars Night)

• Saturday, May 2 – Heartland Concert (Country Night)

• Friday, May 22 – Arx Mortis Fright Squad (Halloween Night)

• Wednesday, July 1 – Superhero Characters (Superhero Night)

• Thursday–Friday, July 9–10 – Dinosaur Weekend presented by Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education

• Friday, July 24 – Princesses and Pirates (Pirate & Princess Night)

• Saturday, July 25 – Santa Claus (Christmas in July)

• Sunday, August 9 – Chase from PAW Patrol

• Friday, September 4 – Huntsville Havoc

Promo Week Schedule:

Monday Weekly Promotions Tuesday Bobbleheads & Appearances Wednesday Theme Nights & Special Ticket Packages Thursday Specialty Jersey Fundraisers, Supply Drives & Community Initiatives

Tickets can be purchased online at TPtix.com 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in person at the Wicks Family Foundation Box Office, or by calling 256325-1403 (option 1).

The Rocket City Trash Pandas have put together an exciting lineup of theme ticket packages ahead of their fourth season of baseball at Toyota Field. Each one includes a reserved box seat ticket, plus a special collectible item.

“Our theme nights and ticket packages are all about creating memorable experiences for our fans,” said Lindsey Knupp, Executive Vice President and Assistant General Manager of the Rocket City Trash Pandas. “We work hard to make each night feel unique — whether that’s through music, themed jerseys and apparel, or interactive elements throughout the ballpark. It’s about more than just the game; it’s about creating an atmosphere where fans can dress up, celebrate together, and be part of something special at TOYOTA Field.”

Theme Nights

• Friday, April 3 – Opening Night Festivities

• Saturday, April 4 – In My Trash Panda ERA Night

• Sunday, April 5 – Easter (Postgame Easter Egg Hunt)

• Tuesday, April 14 – Dance Night

• Thursday, April 16 – Golf Night

• Friday, May 1 – Star Wars Night

• Saturday, May 2 – Country Night with Heartland

• Sunday, May 3; Saturday, July 11; Sunday, August 23 – Lunáticos Day

• Friday, May 22 – Halloween Night

• Saturday, May 23 & Sunday, May 24 – Harry Potter Weekend

• Thursday, June 4 – Margaritaville Night

• Saturday, June 6 – Negro League Tribute & Juneteenth Night

• Sunday, June 7 – Armed Forces Day

• Wednesday, June 17 – Garbage Man Appreciation Day

• Thursday, June 18 – World Cup Night

• Friday, June 19 – BBQ Weekend: Bama Butts Night

• Saturday, June 20 – BBQ Weekend: Alabama White Sauce Night

• Wednesday, July 1 – Superhero Night

• Saturday, July 4 – Independence Day Celebration

• Thursday, July 9 & Friday, July 10 – Dinosaur Weekend

• Friday, July 24 – Pirate & Princess Night

• Saturday, July 25 – Christmas in July

• Thursday, August 6 – Grateful Dead Night

• Saturday, August 8 – Space Night

• Sunday, August 9 – PAW Patrol Day

• Friday, August 21 – Huntsville Stars Night

• Saturday, August 22 – Oktoberfest

• September 2 – Dance and Cheer Night

• Thursday, Sept 3 – Hit for the Cycle Night

• Friday, Sept 4 – Huntsville Havoc Night

• Saturday, Sept 5 – Japanese Heritage Night

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