Hershey Entertainment Beyond the Park

When planning a trip to visit Hershey PA, one might think what else is there to do in addition to visiting Hershey Park.

Hershey, PA has so much to offer from concerts, theater, and sporting games.  If you time it correctly, you can hit the park and then head right over to an evening of National Broadway tours that is in town.    While on my recent visit to Hershey Park and their entertainment facilities, we were able to get a tour of these spaces and even catch a hockey game.

Did you know that Hershey has its own hockey team too?  While at the Giant Center, you can catch the Hershey Bears defend the den.   The Hershey Bears are an American professional ice hockey team that began playing in 1938 making them the longest-existing team in the AHL.  The Hershey Bears have the best fans too! With consistently high attendance at each game, the Giant Center is filled with cheering and enthusiasm to see their team win. Go Bears Go!

Prior to the start of the game, both the Bears and the Bridgeport Sound Tigers paid tribute to the Humboldt Broncos, a Canadian junior hockey team that lost 14 members of their team in a horrific bus accident.  What an emotional viewing of solidarity among the hockey community.

 

It certainly is the suite life when it comes to watching the game in the Bears suite.  With a perfect view of the game, food for all and tons of fun you won’t miss a moment of the action on the ice.  Here I am with fellow bloggers who were a part of the “Sweet Welcome”  with a Hershey Bears team member who was gracious enough to visit us during the game.

I am a sucker when it comes to celebrity sightings so I had to get a selfie with Coco, the Hershey Bears mascot.  Coco certainly knows how to keep the crowds entertained during the game!

 

If sporting events aren’t your thing then head to the Hershey Theatre to catch a show featuring their Broadway series. This venue is home to many North American tours featuring entertainment for all ages, from kids shows to an evening for adults.  The theatre was built during the depression, however, Milton Hershey kept the town alive by employing those to continue building during this downtime so no one in town ever felt the real effects of the “depression”.  This was an initiative of his great building campaign.

The 6-ton fire curtain that hangs in the theatre is original and depicts Venice, Italy with the Grand Canal flowing past the Doge’s Palace. The overhead proscenium arch is inspired by the design of an ancient canal bridge. While you are seated in the audience take note of how many lions appear throughout the theatre.

There are no bad seats in this theatre, you might even be lucky enough to sit in Milton Hershey’s favorite seat in the house.  Of course, it was an aisle seat near an exit so he could head right out after seeing a show.

When walking through the theatre look up. All the action and detail isn’t always happening on the stage. It is amazing to see what work was put into every single detail. Every single tile that you see was hand laid upon the ceiling.  The craftsmanship is exquisite and breathtaking. I highly recommend getting a tour of the theatre while you are in town, even if you aren’t able to catch a show.

The inner foyer’s “canopy of gold” arched tile ceiling was patterned after St. Mark’s Cathedral in Venice, Italy. Two German artisans labored for two full years to create the beautiful blue and gold pin-point mosaic design leading to the main floor seating area.

If concerts are more your thing, be sure to check out the line up for the summer concert series that Hershey Park has this season.  You won’t want to miss a show. The Hersheypark Stadium is connected right next to Hershey Park so after you are finished riding the roller coasters you can head on over and see your favorite band or entertainer perform.  Here is a quick glimpse of who will be hitting the stage this summer.

 

To purchase your tickets for best in entertainment click on each of the venues, Hershey Theatre,  Hersheypark Stadium and the Giant Center.

I would love to hear what show you might be seeing this season.

Don’t forget to check out this post on places to stay in Hershey PA.

What venue would you like to add to your visit to Hershey, PA?