When the Arizona Cardinals play the Pittsburgh Steelers on Oct. 23, the tiny Western town of Cave Creek, Arizona will be transformed into a virtual suburb of Pittsburgh when thousands of Steelers fans converge to watch the game from the bar they fondly call "Heinz Field West" – Harold's Cave Creek Corral. To celebrate, Harold's and Mel Blount Youth Home are hosting a "Steelers Fan Fest Weekend" Fri., Oct. 21 through Sun., Oct. 23. Some 3,000 Steelers fans are expected throughout the weekend. Harold's Cave Creek Corral is located at 6895 E. Cave Creek Rd. in Cave Creek.
The festive weekend kicks off on Fri., Oct. 21 with the Mel Blount Youth Home Charity Golf Tournament at Tatum Ranch Golf Club, 29888 N. Tatum Ranch Drive, in Cave Creek. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. with a shot gun start at 1 p.m. All proceeds will benefit Mel Blount Youth Home, a multi-service treatment program for young males who are victims of child abuse and neglect.
On Sat., Oct. 22, the desert town that boasts just one stop sign will be bustling with an expected 3,000 Steelers fans donning their black and gold. Harold's popular "Steelers Fan Fest" fund-raiser takes place from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. and will feature chances to mingle with former Steelers players and WDVE radio personalities, interactive games, Pittsburgh delicacies, Iron City beer, and live music featuring local and Pittsburgh bands, including Donnie Iris. Former Steelers scheduled to make appearances include Hall of Famer Mel Blount, Mike Merriweather, Louis Lipps, Mike Wagner, Andy Russell, and others. In addition, Bill
Hillgrove, the voice of the Steelers, will also attend.
Rookie tickets are $10, which include entry to the event and general admission standing at the Donnie Iris concert; Pro Bowl Fan Fest tickets are $25, which include entry to the event and general admission concert seats; and Hall of Fame tickets are $50, which include a VIP concert seat within the first few rows, access to the VIP patio lounge with complimentary appetizers, and a special Steelers gift. All proceeds will benefit Mel Blount Youth Home.
On Game Day, Sun., Oct. 23, Harold's will bus 200 fans to their tailgate party. Some 1,000 fans are expected to watch the game from Harold's and cheer their beloved Steelers while waving "terrible towels" and singing Polka and Steelers fight songs. All proceeds will benefit Mel Blount Youth Home.
Harold's Corral co-owner and Pittsburgh native Danny Piacquadio said Steelers fans always come together for a good cause. "We've tied in fund-raisers with three Super Bowl parties here and many other big games, and the fans always go above and beyond to help. Even during the last Super Bowl, when our neighboring Packers bar across the dirt parking lot won the game, we won the challenge to see which fans could bring the most canned goods and donations for our local food bank. We're expecting that same kind of enthusiasm for our Fan Fest weekend and for Mel Blount Youth Home," he said.
Former Steelers great Mel Blount, president of The Mel Blount Youth Home, said, "This is a great event for the Youth Home and I know Steelers fans will really enjoy all the festivities that are planned for the weekend."
For more information, visit www.haroldscorral.com or call (480) 488-1906.
