ALLENTOWN, Pa. — The most romantic day of the year is here, and some folks are gearing up for the big day by stocking up on chocolate, flowers and...wait, is that a guy in a ham costume?
Dating to 2013, the Ironpigs' Pork-O-Grams are back for another year.
Starting last night and continuing today, Feb. 14, the Ironpigs' "Pork Racers," armed with an assortment of goodies and other team merchandise, will travel up, down and around the Lehigh Valley spreading joy to unsuspecting community members.
"It means everything. We love putting on a smile on people's faces and seeing their reactions."IronPigs Community Relations Manager Aaron Weisberg
"It means everything," IronPigs Community Relations Manager Aaron Weisberg said. "We love putting on a smile on people's faces and seeing their reactions."
One of the most surprising, and perhaps most endearing, reactions came from local educator Noelle Cybulski, who was lesson planning in her classroom at Notre Dame High School when a colleague pulled her out in the hallway.
Standing before her was Hambone, presenting her with a bouquet, tickets to a 'Pigs game, a hat and chocolates.
She beamed. It was all planned by her fiancé Alex Bondi.
"Wow! This is a time to be alive!" exclaimed Cybulski, a second-year theology teacher, as her students looked on and clapped.
"Yay, Miss Cybulski!" they cheered.
Starting in January, interested community members can submit request forms on the IronPigs' website, including which Pork Racer with which they'd like to surprise their sweetheart.
Also, whether or not they'd like to include chocolate, in addition to their preferred date and location of their deliveries.
Packages start at $125.
Dino vs. Ham
One person in Bethlehem included a unique request.
Tucked off South Commerce Way in Bethlehem Township was a competitive triceratops, scuffing its hooves into the concrete sidewalk as it awaited its challenger.
Forget the flowers, this was a foot race.
Surrounded by cameras and co-workers, the minor-league mascot and the late Cretaceous period dinosaur took off, dodging raindrops and concrete cracks.
Hambone, channelinghis inner Saquon Barkley, quickly overtook the stocky dinosaur and crossed the finish line in less than 24 seconds, leaving the triceratops in the dust.
It's a good thing triceratops are vegetarians.
Sulking in defeat, the triceratops said, "Could someone unzip me?"
Underneath the battery-powered costume was Bethany Vrevik, a sales account manager at Backstage Library Works in Bethlehem Township and an avid mascot fan.
On her request form, Vrevik asked whether she could race Hambone — in a dinosaur costume.
"I just love mascots."Bethany Vrevik
"I'm actually going to mascot school in Lancaster this summer," she said. "I just love mascots. The mystery that goes along with it. The fun."
She said that, even though she lost the footrace, she had been "looking forward to this for several weeks" and "even changed the batteries in my costume last night."
On a rainy, otherwise dreary day, Hambone brought some sunshine.
Opening night for the IronPigs is 6:05 p.m. Friday, March 28, at Coca-Cola Park, against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. Tickets are on sale now.
