The Mascot Hall of Fame announced their 2023 inductees and honored others in attendance today at their “Cue the Confetti” fundraiser event. The event provided plenty of food, music, and fun games for people to play.
This fundraiser goes toward providing for underprivileged schools in the area. Valarie Reyes, Special Event Coordinator for the Mascot Hall of Fame, is pleased with how they have rebounded since the pandemic and where they are today.
“This event is a party that’s family-oriented,” Reyes said. “We recently brought in an entire school of more than 500 students that hadn’t been on a field trip in the last three years because of the pandemic. We provided them all with lunch, ice cream, and bus services so they could come here for free. This is definitely one of our biggest fundraisers with helping us to consistently achieve our goals.”
Executive Director Al Spajer said that the Mascot Hall of Fame is more than an interactive museum for children.
This is a tremendous multifaceted facility,” said Spajer. “Besides the mascots, there's an educational experience and plenty of fun. We also do events such as weddings, comedy clubs, senior events, and special needs.”
Cue the Confetti held a mascot trivia showdown and provided a lot of dancing opportunities. The event also honored two people for their recent contributions toward the Mascot Hall of Fame, one being 12-year-old Noah Watkins.
“I would just like to say thank you to all my biggest inspirations,” Watkins said. “It’s been a big part of my life.”
Watkins received his award for all the time he has committed to the Mascot Hall of Fame on his own desire.
“Every time he interacts with other kids, his face lights up with an indescribable glow in the room and becomes a bit brighter,” Spajer said.
Additionally, Spajer’s mother was also recognized at the event. She helped orchestrate the decoration for a corner on the second floor of the museum, which has become one of the hottest commodities in recent years.
Tonight, they got to share the moment with two special mascots.
Those mascots were Otto the Orange of Syracuse University and Slugger of the Portland Sea Dogs. Gabriel Lozano, better known as DJ Riel and the official concourse DJ of the Chicago Bulls, introduced the mascots into the hall.
Otto the Orange made his official debut in 1980. He’s often attributed for his energy and enthusiasm.
Slugger, introduced in 1994, focuses his style more on the entertainment aspect. This includes flips, stunts, and skits to interact with the fans.
Attendees were granted the opportunity to take pictures with Otto, Slugger, and Reggie, the latter who is the official mascot for the museum. The official nomination for Otto and Slugger will take place on August 12 and with ESPN Radio’s Carmen DeFalco as the guest emcee. DJ Riel will be at the induction ceremony as well.
For more information on the Mascot Hall of Fame, you can visit their website.
