The best minor league promotions by Royals affiliates for 2016

Minor league promotions are the best. Hardcore baseball fans don't "need" freebies to enjoy a day at the park watching prospects, but other fans may need that extra motivation to show up - and that is totally OK. Though the giveaways tend to get the most attention, my favorite is the simple, classic opportunity for fans to bring their dogs to the game, so those get top billing in this guide. But each of the Royals' full-season teams has all kinds fantastic promotions, which you can find below.

Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers

Bark In the Park:

• Wednesday, April 13
• Wednesday, May 25
• Wednesday, July 20
• Wednesday, August 10
• Wednesday, August 31

Other promotions:

• Mike Moustakas Bobble-Antler (first 1500 fans) on Saturday, April 23.
• Werner Park Replica Stadium (first 1500) on Saturday, April 30
• Star Wars Night plus postgame jersey auction on Friday, May 6
• Peanut Free Night on Monday, May 23
• Alex Gordon Jersey cooler (first 1500) on Saturday, May 28
• Superhero night on Friday, June 24
• Postgame jersey auction of camo jerseys worn for "Country Night"
  
• A "pre-game wrestling extravaganza" on Thursday, July 21. Specifics haven't been announced yet, but last year's competitors for this were from Extreme Midget Wrestling. (Photos from that day are here.)
• Drawstring backpack (first 1000) on Monday, August 1.
• A specialty jersey auction benefiting Nebraska Organ Recovery on Sunday, September 4.
  

All promotions for Omaha can be found here.

Double-A Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Bark in the Park:

• Sunday, April 24
  
• Sunday, August 21
  

Other promotions:

• Playing cards giveaway (first 1000 fans) on Thursday, April 21
• the return of the Thunder Chickens on Friday, May 20
• Navy jersey (first 2000 fans) on Saturday, June 4
• Star Wars night, followed by Star Wars fireworks and auction of Star Wars jerseys on Friday, June 17
• Salvador Perez shirsey (first 2000 fans) on Saturday, June 18
• Father's Day specialty hat (first 1000 fans) and postgame catch on the field on Sunday, June 19
• A four-part fireworks extravaganza from July 1-July 4, each with different musical themes
• Powder blue Naturals jersey (first 2000 fans) on Saturday, July 16
• Pink jersey auction after the game on Friday, July 22
  
• Americana-themed Naturals jerseys (first 2000 fans) on Saturday, August 6
• Mike Moustakas Bobble-Antler (first 2000 fans) on Saturday, August 20

All promotions for Northwest Arkansas can be found here.

High-A Wilmington Blue Rocks

Bark in the park:

• Sunday, July 10

Other promotions:

• Royals canvas giveaway (first 1000 fans) on Saturday, April 9
  
• Mr. Celery toothbrush holder (first 1000 fans) on Saturday, April 23
• Blue Rocks gym bag (first 1000 fans) on Saturday, May 7
• Beach towel (first 1000 fans) on Wednesday, May 18
• Royals t-shirt (first 1000 fans) on Saturday, May 21
• Golf umbrella (first 1000 fans) on Saturday, June 11
• Mega candy drop on Sunday, June12: "Following the game, a helicopter will drop candy over center field and kids will have the opportunity to run on the field collect as much candy as they can."
• Yordano Ventura bobblehead (first 1250 fans) on Thursday, June 30. Also that night is a postgame jersey auction benefiting the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition.
• Salvador Perez bobblehead (first 1250 fans) on Saturday, July 9
• Eric Hosmer bobblehead (first 1250 fans) on Sunday, July 17
• The 'Heritage Night' series:
  
  • Greek heritage on Tuesday, August 2
  • Polish heritage on Wednesday, August 3
  • Irish heritage on Tuesday, August 9
  • Jewish heritage on Wednesday, August 10
  • Italian heritage on Tuesday, August 16
  • Mike MOOSEtakas bobblehead (first 1250 fans) on Saturday, August 20

All promotions for Wilmington can be found here.

Single-A Lexington Legends

Bark in the Park:

Thursday, April 21

Thursday, May 5

Thursday, May 12

Thursday, June 2

Thursday, June 23

Thursday, June 30

Thursday, July 7

Thursday, August 4

Thursday, August 18

If you love taking your dog(s) to minor league baseball games, it seems Lexington is your spot.

Other promotions:

• DeMarcus Cousins bobblehead (first 1000) on Friday, April 22
• Glenn Hubbard Snake bobblehead (first 1000) on Friday, June 24 (presumably referencing this 1984 baseball card)
  
• Anderson Miller bobblehead (first 1000) on Friday, July 1
  
• Something involving Ickey Woods on Friday, July 8. The schedule contains no other information at this time, just his name. Please speculate in the comments.

All promotions for Lexington can be found here.

What is your favorite promotion? How far would you be willing to travel to be part of it? Is the Yordano Ventura bobblehead throwing fire, or wearing part of a flamenco costume?