WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL FAN FEST TO CELEBRATE BASKETBALL MADNESS IN DOWNTOWN ALBANY

Fan Fest featuring food, drink and family activities to support NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Albany Regional

ALBANY, NY; – College basketball fans are invited to enjoy great local food, college pep bands and free family activities during the Women’s College Basketball Fan Fest at the Albany Capital Center on Friday, March 29 from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Admission to the Fan Fest is free.

The event will be held in conjunction with the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Albany Regional at the Times Union Center, which will include some of the best collegiate women’s basketball teams in the country. The tournament is co-hosted by the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) and Siena College.

“Last year Albany hit it out of the park as the host of the Regional Round of the Women’s College Basketball tournament and we expect this year to be another slam dunk based on ticket sales and enthusiasm within the community,” said MAAC Commissioner Rich Ensor who is a member of the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Oversight Committee. “The Women’s College Basketball Fan Fest at the Albany Capital Center will be the perfect pre-game activity for local fans as well as those traveling in from out of town as they prepare to witness some great college basketball action.”

The Women’s College Basketball Fan Fest will be highlighted by sampling opportunities of signature dishes from Albany County restaurants, including 677 Prime; Allie B’s Cozy Kitchen; Black and Blue Steak and Crab; Cider Belly Doughnuts; City Beer Hall; Iron Gate Café; Public House 42; Valente’s Restaurant; Vintage House; and Wellington’s.

Guests will also enjoy samples of wine, cider and craft beer selections courtesy of Saratoga Eagle.

Sampling tickets for the Women’s College Basketball Fan Fest are available at www.albanyfanfest.com. Fans can save $2 per set of tickets with advance purchase. Tickets purchased in advance are $8 and entitle guests to five tasting dishes. Tasting tickets will also be available at the door for $10 (cash only).

Wine, cider and craft beer tasting tickets will be $5 for three samples and are available exclusively at the event (cash only; must be at least 21 years old with a valid ID).

The Women’s College Basketball Fan Fest will also feature free family-friendly activities and entertainment, including face painting, balloon artists, inflatables, and college pep bands.

“Albany County has one of the biggest and most enthusiastic fan bases for college basketball in the entire country, shown by the tens of thousands of local residents who come out each year for the MAAC Tournament, and now we welcome the NCAA Women’s Regional to the downtown area,” said Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy. “This Fan Fest is exactly what we had envisioned when we renovated our Times Union Center and when the Albany Capital Center was built – bringing together the best of our local schools, restaurants and businesses for a great time for the entire community.”

“I am very excited that the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Regional will once again be held in Albany this year,” said Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan. “These games and the fan fest bring some of the best college basketball players, coaches, and fans in the nation to Downtown Albany and we are proud to host them in New York’s Capital City on the road to the 2019 NCAA Women’s Final Four.”

“Ticket sales for this year’s tournament are trending significantly ahead of last year’s pace when the Times Union Center welcomed more than 10,000 fans for each session of the Women’s College Basketball Albany Regional,” said Times Union Center General Manager Bob Belber. “I urge all fans of college basketball to purchase their tickets as soon as possible so that they can be part of this great event, which will feature some of the best women’s teams in Division I as they compete for a trip to the Final Four.”

Sponsors of the Women’s College Basketball Fan Fest include the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association, SEFCU, Saratoga Eagle, Dunkin’, AYCO, Northeastern Fine Jewelry, Hearts on Fire, Albany Capital Center, Total Events, ESPN 104.5 WTMM and NewsChannel 13.

The NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Albany Regional will get underway on Friday, March 29 with matchups at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. The winners will face each other in the Albany Regional Final on Sunday, March 31 at noon. The winner of the Albany Regional will advance to the NCAA Division I Women’s Final Four.

Tickets to the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Albany Regional can be purchased online at www.NCAA.com/WBBTickets.

For more information about the Women’s College Basketball Fan Fest, visit www.AlbanyFanFest.com.

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