One of the kids holds up his Celtics game shorts

WORCESTER (OCTOBER 27, 2003) -- Boston Celtics fans celebrated the upcoming start of the season as the Boston Celtics/Pepsi Opening Night New England Community Tour visited Worcester today, the last stop in a month-long journey around the region. At the event, the Celtics donated a check for $1,000 to support the Ionic Ave. Boys & Girls Club.

The Boston Celtics/Pepsi Opening Night New England Community Tour is making stops in 20 New England communities as the Celtics prepare for the start of the 2003-04 season.

In addition to appearances by Boston Celtics legend JoJo White and Celtics ownership, the hour-long program at the Ionic Avenue Boys & Girls Club featured give-aways of 100 opening night tickets, schedule posters, and Pepsi products. Over the course of the tour, the team will give away close to 4,000 tickets to Celtics games and donate $20,000 to community groups across the region.

Wyc hands out Opening Night tickets.

Boston Celtics CEO and managing partner Wyc Grousbeck presented a Boston Celtics game jersey bearing the town's name to Worcester Mayor Timothy Murray as Celtics mascot Lucky the Leprechaun thrilled the youngest fans. Mayor Murray read a proclamation, officially declaring it Boston Celtics Day in Worcester. World Boxing Association welterweight boxing champion Jose Antonio Rivera of Worcester also spoke. "The Boston Celtics belong to the fans throughout New England," Grousbeck said. "This tour provides us with the opportunity to connect and interact with the people who support the team outside Greater Boston, as well as provide assistance and support to those in need." "Our partnership with the Boston Celtics is a great win for Pepsi and Celtics fans alike," said Pepsi Bottling Group's John Halloran. "It allows us to be able to work with the Celtics organization on terrific events like this that bring great excitement to the fans.

This relationship also promises opportunities for Pepsi and the Celtics to work together on important initiatives to support our local community."

Bolstered by the return of All-Star co-captain Paul Pierce, the Boston Celtics open their quest for an unprecedented 17th NBA title when they host the Miami Heat on October 29th at the FleetCenter. The Boston Celtics reached the Eastern Conference semifinals last year.

To learn more about the Boston Celtics/Pepsi New England Community Tour or to follow its odyssey, fans can log onto www.celtics.com.

Wyc Grousbeck hands out Celtics shorts to the kids at the Ionic Ave. Boys and Girls Club.

Individual tickets for the Boston Celtics 2003-2004 season are available at the FleetCenter Box Office at 1-800-4NBA-TIX and all TicketMaster outlets. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.celtics.com.

The Pepsi Bottling Group, Inc. (www.pbg.com) is the world's largest manufacturer, seller and distributor of Pepsi-Cola beverages with operations in the United States Canada, Greece, Mexico, Russia, Spain and Turkey.