The first-place Aeros return to Canal Park Tuesday to begin a six-game homestand with three games against the Connecticut Defenders and three with the New Britain Rock Cats as both teams make their only trips to Canal Park. The homestand, which runs from Aug. 12th-18th, could prove vital in Akron’s quest to hold on to or perhaps increase its current one-game lead over Bowie in the Southern Division. All games begin at 7:05 p.m., with the exception of Sunday’s 2:05 p.m. start.
 
The Aeros are offering several promotions, including a visit from NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Kurt Busch, Pet Day, and a fireworks show for fans visiting Canal Park:
 
The homestand kicks off Tuesday night with a Two-for-Tuesday promotion with tickets and select concessions going two for the price of one. It will be Ed Randall’s Bat for the Cure Night at Canal Park as the players will wear blue wristbands to help promote awareness of prostate cancer and former Cleveland Indians pitcher Vince Colbert will throw out the ceremonial first pitch and sign autographs from 7:00 to 7:30 representing Bat for the Cure.
 
Wednesday is NASCAR Night at Canal Park, sponsored by The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. Sprint Cup driver Kurt Busch will be at Canal Park signing autographs for fans on the concourse from 6:00 p.m. to 6:40 and again from 7:05 to 7:30. He will also throw out the ceremonial first pitch and Busch’s #2 Miller Lite Dodge show car will be present on the main concourse. Goodyear will also give away 5,000 2008 NASCAR driver posters from their table on the concourse. Wednesday is also Family Pack Night with four tickets, four hot dogs, four bags of chips, and four fountain sodas for just $48.
 
Thursday is Pet Day at Canal Park as fans can bring their pets to the ballpark. Discounted tickets and Pet Passes are available by calling the Humane Society of Greater Akron at 330-657-2010. A portion of the ticket sales and proceeds from the Pet passes go directly to the Humane Society. Prices for tickets ordered from the HSGA are as follows: $7 for people and $5 for pets. A pre-game Pet Parade will begin at 6:15, water and treat stations will be available throughout Canal Park. All fans attending with their pet will be required to sign a waiver upon entering Canal Park and will be responsible for cleaning up any "mess" made by their pet.
 
The Rock Cats come to town for the weekend and Friday features the final post-game fireworks night of the season, sponsored by Akron Children’s Hospital Kids Cancer Survivors. Saturday, the Aeros will partner with Cleveland Plus to give away drawstring backpacks to the first 1,000 fans at Canal Park. Finally, Sunday caps the homestand and it is another Family Pack Day with four tickets, four hot dogs, four bags of chips, and four fountain sodas for just $48.

Suburbanite Reader's Appreciation Week:
The Aeros and The Suburbanite will have their second Reader's Appreciation night August 17. Readers can get tickets for $5 by mailing in the form found in the Suburbanite newspaper to the Akron Aeros.
 
The Aeros begin the homestand Tuesday at 7:05 p.m., with Akron sending Steven Wright (3-1, 4.33 ERA) to the mound against Connecticut's Joey Martinez (7-9, 2.65 ERA). It will be Two-for-Tuesday at Canal Park with tickets and select concession items going two for the price of one. The broadcast begins at 6:50 p.m. on SportsRadio 1350 AM and online at www.akronaeros.com. For more information, please call the Aeros at (330) 253-5151.