Opened in December, 1936, Hersheypark Arena has hosted many memorable events.
More Than 70 Years of Entertaining Memories
There are more than 70 years of memories in Hersheypark Arena; let's take a trip down memory lane and relive some of our best memories...
December 19, 1936: The sports arena opens. Constructed by D. Paul Witmer and is connected to the western end of the old Convention Hall.
December 13, 1937: M.S. Hershey's 80th birthday party is held in the Hershey Sports Arena. His employees present him with a yellow-gold octagon ring, with 18 blue-white diamonds set in platinum, enclosing the "baby in a cocoa shell" trademark of Hershey Chocolate Corporation.
November 5, 1938:Hershey Bears play their first professional hockey game at the Sports Arena. The team originated in 1935 as the Hershey B'ars.
February 10, 1941: The Ice Capades perform in the Sports Arena for the first time.
October 13, 1953: A birthday party is held for President Dwight Eisenhower; the National Republican Party sponsored the party.
March 2, 1962: Wilt Chamberlain scores a record 100 points against the New York Knicks in a game played in Hersheypark Arena.
March 28, 1979:Hersheypark Arena serves as an evacuation center for about 150 people during the Three Mile Island nuclear emergency.
April 11, 1987:Hersheypark Arena celebrates its 50th anniversary with a special show featuring George Burns, Patti Page, and Mark Hart.
May 1988:Hershey Bears set a professional Hockey record as the only team to go 12-0 in the playoffs and win the Calder Cup.
October 1989:Hersheypark Arena celebrated 50 years of Ice Capades at The Hotel Hershey, the birthplace of the Ice Capades on February 14, 1940.
September 13, 1995: First day of Issue ceremony at Hersheypark Arena to officially unveil the First Class United States Postage Stamp honoring Milton S. Hershey as a philanthropist.
June 13, 1997:Hershey Bears win their 8th Calder Cup title and Mike McHugh is named the Most Valuable Player of the playoffs.
1998:Hersheypark Arena was ranked #7 facility with seats (5,001-10,000) ranked by Gross as compiled by Amusement Boxscores. That year, Hersheypark Arena also broke 9 facility records.
2000:Hersheypark Arena was ranked #4 facility with seats (5,001-10,000) ranked by Gross as compiled by Amusement Boxscores.