By Al Zehnder, CEO of Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth
We’ve done a lot of really neat things over the past 22 years trying to keep Snowfest fresh and relevant. The addition and expansion of ice carving, hosting international teams from around the world, Saturday evening fireworks, Country Music night, Family night and the list goes on. But this year, hosting the 2012 American League Champion Detroit Tigers on Friday afternoon of Snowfest was an extraordinary experience. Making Zehnder’s one of their stops on the very popular Tiger Winter Caravan drew thousands of fans hoping to catch a glimpse and maybe an autograph of one of their favorite “boys of summer”.
The Tiger bus was given an appropriate Frankenmuth Police escort down Main Street to our front entrance. And then there they were, Albuquerque, Avila, Below, Boesch, Berry, Crosby, Downs, Dirks, Marte, Mercedes, Peralta, Porcello, Putkonen, Rondon, Sanchez and Smyly. Maybe I’m getting older but these guys looked young. Followed by assistant GM Al Avila, members of the coaching staff, the voice of the Detroit Tigers Dan Dickerson and, of course, the American League Championship trophy held by a very serious security guard.
After a quick lunch they filed into our big tent to the thunderous welcome of over one thousand fans. They were gracious, they were friendly, they answered questions, they signed autographs for kids.
They are the Detroit Tigers, World Champs in my book.
Al Zehnder, CEO of Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth
