With baseball season just a month away and the next Celebrate! Party Showcase at Citi Field on Sunday, March 21, we thought it was the perfect time to spotlight this Mitzvah Venue – Citi Field! Why not take your family and friends out to the ballpark and celebrate at this year-old venue.

We spoke with Heather Collamore, Director, Metropolitan Hospitality, Citi Field to find out all the details about having your child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah at this exciting venue. There are many ways to put on a baseball theme that include both a sit down reception or a day at the stadium, complete with hot dogs, and appearances by former baseball greats.

MM: What days and time of year is Citi Field available for Bar/Bat Mitzvahs?
HC: Metropolitan Hospitality at Citi Field books Bar or Bat Mitzvahs on all non-game days and throughout the off-season. All of the club spaces are used during Mets games by ticketholders, so Bar or Bat Mitzvahs take place when there are not games being played.

Creative place settings

MM: How long does a family have the room and or space for the day or night of the event?
HC: We rent our event spaces out for four hour parties. We can always add on additional time if a client requests it.

Adorable “bat” centerpieces

MM: Can you please list the different venue options? And how many guests each space can accommodate?
HC: We have 18+ event spaces at Citi Field, but the best spaces for Bar or Bat Mitzvahs are:

Delta Sky360 Club 3^rd Base - Minimum capacity 100; Maximum capacity 300

Acela Club – Minimum capacity 100; Maximum capacity 300 (our most popular space for Bar or Bat Mitzvahs!)

Acela Club

Caesars Club – Minimum capacity 250; Maximum capacity 900
2k Sports FanFest – Minimum capacity 150; Maximum capacity 500

MM: Is there a rental fee along with a catering fee?
HC: Yes, there is a flat rental fee for each space, which covers security, cleaning, staffing, free parking, and basic utilities. In addition, there is a per person fee for catering during the event.

A cocktail party in the Jackie Robinson Rotunda

MM: What are the catering options?
HC: We can customize any menu to meet a client’s preferences! Aramark is our catering partner and we have created high-end seated, stationed, and buffet template menus for Bar or Bat Mitzvahs.  We work closely with each family to put together a menu that works for their unique event and budget. We have separate pricing and menus for children and adults. We are also able to offer spectacular menus from Myriad Restaurant Group (Tribeca Grill, Nobu, Corton), who operate the Acela Club on game-days. For clients looking to have a Kosher affair, we do have a list of preferred Kosher caterers that we work with.

Beverage and dessert presentation

MM: What about parking?
HC: Metropolitan Hospitality at Citi Field has plenty of parking spaces for guests. The parking is free for those attending the Bar or Bat Mitzvah event.

MM: How far in advance should we book the party?
HC: If your date falls between the months of November and March, we can book your party as soon as you receive your date! If your party falls during the Mets regular season (between April and September), we need to wait until September of the year prior to your party in order to confirm your date, i.e., if your date is on September 22, 2012, we will put it on hold for you now, and will be able to confirm in September, 2011. Unfortunately, we cannot book any events during the month of October, as we have to keep it completely open for the potential of Post Season baseball games.

MM: What are some of the added touches that will impress guests at Citi Field?
HC: There are many different options that we can provide to make your child’s day at Citi Field unforgettable.

• If you choose to have your Cocktail Party on the Warning Track, guests will have an exclusive VIP experience, see their names on the scoreboard, and even take pictures in the Mets Dugout.

Your name on the scoreboard

• Montage on the Video Board: We can actually play your child’s montage on the main video board in Center Field! All of your guests will sit in the Delta Club Seats right behind home plate and watch the montage on one of the biggest screens around. The music is piped through the ballpark PA system and it will be better than any other surround sound experience you have ever had. After the Montage, Mr. Met and the Pepsi Party Patrol run onto the Warning Track and shoot T-shirts into the crowd of guests to start the party off in the right fashion.

Guests watching a Mitzvah montage!

• Mr. Met can also appear at your event to welcome guests as they arrive or get the dance party started! We have a Mr. Met photo option, where we’ll send a photographer to take pictures of your guests with Mr. Met during the party and have them printed as a favor for your guests as they leave.

• Would you like to add a Mets Alumni Player to your guest list? We can bring in former players to mingle and tell stories of their playing days, sign autographs, and take pictures with guests. Your closest adult friends will act just like kids again when they find themselves hanging out with their childhood heroes!

For more information on having your child’s Mitzvah at Citi Field, please contact Heather Collamore at 718-803-4032 or at hcoll@nymets.com. You can also visit their Website.

Please visit Citi Field during the Celebrate! Party Showcase on Sunday, March 21, 2010. Not only will you get to see this great venue, but you can meet one-on-one with hundreds of Mitzvah Vendors in just one afternoon!