SUPER BOWL EXPECTED TO DRAW UP TO 4,000 STEELERS FANS TO HAROLD’S CAVE CREEK CORRAL

Crowd Will Be Second Only to the Number of Fans in Tampa Bay for the Game

Harold’s is largest Steelers bar in the Country– Raffle of autographed Steelers memorabilia expected to raise funds for Hunkapi Horse Program, Hope for Kids, and other charities

(CAVE CREEK, Ariz.) – Next Sunday, while most of Arizona will be wearing Cardinal Red to cheer their team in the Super Bowl, up to 4,000 Pittsburgh Steelers fans from throughout Arizona will be waving their “terrible towels,” singing polka and Steelers fight songs, and devouring lots of Primanti Brothers sandwiches, Iron City beer, and other Pittsburgh delicacies – in a tiny, Western town in the Arizona desert, some 2,500 miles away from their beloved city.

Danny Piacquadio, managing partner of Harold’s Cave Creek Corral, 6895 E. Cave Creek Rd. in Cave Creek, describes the scene as “surreal.” The number of fans expected to descend upon Cave Creek exceeds the entire town’s population.

“We have fans that are coming from California, Washington, Nevada, and Pittsburgh. In Arizona, fans for the season games come from as far away as Lake Havasu, Prescott, and Casa Grande,” Piacquadio said. “We’re excited that the Cardinals advanced to the Super Bowl, and we welcome Cardinals fans to our party. No matter who your favorite team, this party will be one for the books!”

The Steelers/Cardinals game begins at 4 p.m., but fans will begin arriving at noon. In preparation of Game Day, Harold’s is stocking up on Iron City and Iron City Light beer and will offer Budweiser specials all day Sunday. Beer and liquor suppliers will also be giving away T-shirts and hats.

There is a $10 cover charge. The first 500 people will get Harold’s version of the Super Bowl XLIII “Terrible Towel.” Harold’s will also raffle off autographed Steelers memorabilia to raise funds for Hunkapi Horse Program, Hope for Kids, and other charities.

In addition to Harold’s parking, shuttle buses will run from available parking lots in the Town’s Center.

As one of Arizona’s historic establishments, Harold’s dates back to 1935 and offers patrons a nostalgic view into the days of the “Wild West.” Several Western movies were filmed at Harold’s, including Rafferty and the Gold Dust Twins, Electroglide in Blue, and Little Foss and Big Halsey. Photos of these movies are displayed throughout the restaurant along with many photos of celebrities who have visited Harold’s to experience first-hand it’s famous hospitality.

Though Cave Creek is 45 minutes from downtown Phoenix, the small town has retained much of its Western heritage. But on NFL Game Days, Western garb and cowboy boots are lost to a sea of “black and gold.” The Steelers tradition began in 1993 with about 75 fans per game.

As word spread that Steelers Country could be found in the heart of Cave Creek, more fans have been coming to Harold’s Cave Creek Corral to watch the games. Several Steelers greats have visited Harold’s, including Mel Blount, L.C. Greenwood, Merrill Hodge, Andy Russell, Mike Wagner, and Mike Merriweather.

A Pittsburgh native and 1987 graduate of Seton-La Salle High School, Piacquadio is a loyal Steelers fan who is dedicated to making sure his patrons feel like they are at home. To accommodate fans, he serves traditional Steelers delicacies, and employs a DJ who plays more than 40 Steelers songs.

Piacquadio’s father, Dan Sr., owns a restaurant in Mt. Lebanon called Piacquadios, and his cousin, Ray, owns a restaurant in Bethel Park called Pasta Too.

To reserve seats, call Harold’s Cave Creek Corral at (480) 488-1906 or for more information check out our website at www.haroldscorral.com.

Harold’s can also claim to be one of the top neighborhood bars in the nation. Maxim Magazine readers rated Harold’s to be the #1 “Greatest American Neighborhood Bar” in Phoenix. The July 2005 issue of Maxim featured the results of a reader survey among nine markets. Local readers chose the five best “neighborhood bars” in Phoenix, citing Harold’s Cave Creek Corral as the best. Harold’s was also chosen as the “Best Cowboy Bar” in the 2008 azcentral.com Reader’s Choice poll.

EDITOR’S NOTE:
Reporters and photographers are invited to view the Super Bowl Steelers/Cardinals game next Sunday, February 1, 2009 at Harold’s Cave Creek Corral, 6895 E. Cave Creek Rd. in Cave Creek.

The game starts at 4 p.m. Arizona time, but fans should begin arriving at noon.

Harold’s opens at 8 a.m. for breakfast. The outside tents will open at noon.

Call Danny Piacquadio, managing partner of Harold’s Cave Creek Corral at (602) 799-5554, or Sue Kern-Fleischer at (602) 810-1404 for more information.

Directions to Harold’s Cave Creek Corral:
From downtown Phoenix:
Take the 51 Freeway (Piestewa Peak) north to the 101 Freeway.
Exit east on the 101 Freeway and travel to Scottsdale Road. Exit at Scottsdale Road and turn left so you are traveling north. Continue some 12 miles on Scottsdale Road — it turns into Tom Darlington Road – until it ends at Cave Creek Road. Make a left and travel west on Cave Creek Road. You’ll see Harold’s Cave Creek Corral on the left (south side of the street) at 6895 E. Cave Creek Road.