October 24, 2011

Arlington Businesses Display Support for the Texas Rangers

Signs of civic and corporate pride for the hometown Texas Rangers are popping up all over town.

From the Texas Giant roller coaster to lit buildings, billboards and street lights, the city’s businesses are showing visible support for the team’s chase for a World Series title.

“This is really a bonding time for everyone,” said Jay Burress, president and CEO of the Arlington Convention and Visitors Bureau, of the Rangers’ World Series appearance and the three games played in Arlington. “It really brings the whole community together.”

Throughout the city, it’s evident that post-season baseball is going strong at the ballpark.

Local business leaders say that showing support by outfitting buildings, hanging signs, and staging game-watching parties and other events is just part of being a good neighbor.

Pam Dawson, the mall manager at Lincoln Square, said hosting outdoor events, running shuttles to the ballpark, and dressing the fountain horses in their best baseball rally gear provides a needed community connection—and it doesn’t take too much effort or money.

“This is just part of the spirit of the town,” Dawson said. “Our merchants and our customers expect it and we feel like it’s our responsibility. We hope to encourage others to do it, too. It’s a way to connect with these stadiums and the fans that go there.”

Six Flags Over Texas officials encouraged the team with a can’t-miss 24-by-36-foot banner mounted on the side of the park’s Texas Giant roller coaster: “Go Big. Go Rangers!”

“We’ve always been great partners with the Rangers and we’re proud of the honor that they’ve brought to the city,” said Sharon Parker, a Six Flags spokesperson. “Ultimately, it shows the synergy that we have. We all come together in this to generate community spirit.”

The illuminating of some of Arlington’s signature buildings provides a unique nod to the Rangers and their success.

The Skymark Tower at Interstate 30 and North Cooper Street is lit with the team’s red and blue colors during their World Series march, and the Texas Health Resources building, near the Center Street bridge over I-30, recently began displaying an outline of the team’s “T” logo on its windows during playoff and World Series home games.

Rachel Horton Raya, a company spokesperson, said workers open individual window shades and turn on lights in specific offices to create the effect.

“We wanted to light up the building to show a message to the team and to the city,” she said.

Because the team made a successful Word Series appearance last year, some businesses began planning fan events earlier this year with more creative ideas up their sleeve.

“You hate to start celebrating or planning too soon,” Dawson said, “but we wanted to make a bigger statement this year.”

Lincoln Square’s Rangers pep rally on Saturday featured live music, food samples, and store giveaways.

Burress said the city was more prepared for the big game this year and officials and businesses also benefitted from hosting the Super Bowl earlier this year.

“It wasn’t quite as frantic this year,” he said of the World Series appearance. “We should just book this as an annual event.”