Gwinnett Braves Lauch Multi-Cultural Programs

The Gwinnett Braves began a multicultural game series Saturday (June 18) with three signature events at Coolray Field in Lawrenceville. The G-Braves have created strategic alliances with key community leaders and organizations to present the events as part of their outreach efforts, according to an announcement by the G-Braves.

The release of the 2010 Census confirmed Gwinnett County, the home of the G-Braves, as the most diverse county in Georgia, the announcement stated. Black Americans now represent the largest minority in Gwinnett with 22.8 percent. The second largest group is Hispanic or Latinos of any race at 20.1%, and Asians come in third at 10.5 percent.

Festivities began Saturday with the first annual Juneteenth celebration. In partnership with volunteers from the black community, the G-Braves created the event for fans to celebrate the Emancipation Proclamation, marking the abolition of slavery in the United States.

Juneteenth is celebrated around the nation every year to commemorate the day slaves in the state of Texas received the news, some two years after the rest of the nation. The celebration will reflect the traditions of Juneteenth with music, dance, storytelling and special "cookout" menu selections.

The series continues Father's Day (Sunday, June 19) with the Latino Fan Fiesta. More than a third of the Gwinnett Braves' players were born in Latin America, The celebration will offer fans an opportunity to meet, obtain autographs, and pose with their favorite Latino G-Braves players for photographs.

Telemundo is sponsoring Latin Fan Fiesta, which will showcase the diversity within the Hispanic culture with authentic food, traditional music and folkloric dance performances.

Gates open at 12:30 p.m. for the fiesta. The game between the G-Braves and the Durham Bulls gets underway at 2:05 p.m.

In July, the G-Braves will host the Welcome of the Dragon ceremony at Coolray Field. This legendary ceremony is part of the Duan Wu Festival and Dragon Boat Racing, a long time tradition of the Chinese Culture. Dragon Boat Atlanta hosts an annual festival at Lake Lanier, and this year the festival is receiving eight new boats. The boats will be unveiled during the ceremony from 3 to 5 p.m.

The Welcome of the Dragon ceremony will include other elements of the Chinese culture including Shoaling Kung Fu, the Lion Dance, Dotting the Eye of the Dragon, and Return of the Pearl. The Pearl will transform itself into the game ball for the official double-header with the Charlotte Knights on Saturday, July 9, starting at 6:05 p.m.

Regular price tickets range from $6 to $35. Prices are $6 for adults for the Lawn, $5 for children 3-12, senior citizens over 60 and military with ID; Baseline Box seats, $8 and $6; Field Box, $12 and $10; Infield Box $15 and $15; Braves Dugout, $18 and $18; and Home Plate Club, $35 and $35. Children under 2 are admitted free. Order tickets online or call the Coolray Field Box Office at 678-277-0340 or Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000. Chairs are not allowed on the lawn, but it’s OK to bring a blanket. 

Parking is $5, and there is a shuttle from the parking lot to the stadium.