ST. LOUISANS INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN DRIVE-BY BIRTHDAY PARTY TO SAFELY CELEBRATE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF STAN MUSIAL’S BIRTH ON SATURDAY, NOV. 21
ORGANIZERS CANCEL STANTENNIAL CELEBRATION ACTIVITIES INSIDE BUSCH STADIUM OUT OF ABUNDANCE OF CAUTION FOR COMMUNITY’S HEALTH
ST. LOUIS – Nov. 17, 2020 – To commemorate what would have been Stan Musial’s 100th birthday, the St. Louis Sports Commission and the Musial Awards are organizing a drive-by birthday party parade on Saturday, Nov. 21 at the Musial statue outside Busch Stadium. Fans can join the procession any time between 1 and 2:30 p.m.
Stan’s family, including children and grandchildren who reside in St. Louis, will be at the statue during that time. From their vehicle, at a safe distance, fans can share well-wishes with the family as they drive by. Additionally, fans are encouraged to bring a card with birthday messages and favorite Stan memories. Cards can be dropped off in a special box placed along the route, and all cards will be given to Stan’s family. Adding to the fun, the celebration will include Fredbird and harmonica players (in honor of Stan’s tradition of entertaining fans by playing the harmonica). And free birthday cupcakes will be distributed while supplies last.
There is no cost and no ticket required to participate in the drive-by birthday party. Fans should just follow these important instructions:
- Vehicles should approach the Musial Statue on Spruce Street from west of Busch Stadium.
- For everyone’s health and safety, participants must remain in their vehicle at all times.
- Face coverings must be worn when receiving the birthday cupcake.
JOURNEY THROUGH THE BALLPARK CANCELED:
In addition to the drive-by birthday party, the Sports Commission and Musial Awards had planned to host their Stantennial Celebration on Saturday inside Busch Stadium. As an outdoor event with social distancing and limited capacity, it was intended to be a safe and special way to honor Stan’s 100th birthday. However, given the surge in COVID-19 cases and the strain being experienced by the medical community, organizers have decided to cancel the event, concluding that the current situation requires all to act with an abundance of caution. Ticket purchases will be automatically refunded through a credit to their original method of payment.
OTHER WAYS TO CELEBRATE THE STANTENNIAL:
Beyond the drive-by birthday party, there are several other components in place to mark Stan’s 100th and keep alive the Musial Awards’ tradition of celebrating extraordinary sportsmanship:
- On Saturday night, 5 On Your Side (KSDK Channel 5 in St. Louis) will air a Best of the Musial Awards special at 9 p.m. The broadcast celebrates 15 years of the Musial Awards in St. Louis on the 100th anniversary of Stan’s birth.
- Fans can celebrate in the comfort of their own home by ordering a Stantennial Party Box. The box is filled with fun birthday treats, one-of-a-kind items, and a commemorative book that celebrates 15 years of the Musial Awards in St. Louis on the 100th anniversary of Stan’s birth. Proceeds benefit the Musial Awards. More information can be found at MusialAwards.com/PartyBox.
- The Musial Awards invites fans to share their favorite memories and stories of Stan on social media or on the Musial Awards website. “Musial Moments” can be posted on social media by using #StanMusialMoment and tagging the Musial Awards (@MusialAwards) or by visiting MusialAwards.com/Moments.
- While its live awards show won’t take place this year, the 2020 Musial Awards will still go on in the form of a one-hour CBS Sports Spectacular that will air nationally on CBS on Saturday, Dec. 26 at 2 p.m. CT. The broadcast will recognize the Musial Awards’ 2020 honorees, including Baseball Hall of Famer Hank Aaron, recipient of this year’s Stan Musial Lifetime Achievement Award for Sportsmanship, and NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace, recipient of the Stan Musial Award for Extraordinary Character.
The Musial Awards – presented by Maryville University – celebrate the year’s greatest moments of sportsmanship and those in sports who embody class and character. In addition to keeping alive the legacy of Stan The Man, the mission of the Musial Awards is to encourage kindness, selflessness, integrity and civility in sports and society – and to inspire people across the nation to be good sports. The Musial Awards has taken place in St. Louis since 2005, and in normal times, occurs the Saturday before Thanksgiving at the historic 3,000-seat Stifel Theatre in Downtown St. Louis. It is produced by the St. Louis Sports Commission and the National Sportsmanship Foundation, a charitable nonprofit organization.