When the Hershey Bears first played their first game in 1932, it was on the rink at the Ice Palace in Hershey, which was about 170 feet by 60 feet. To get an idea of how small that is, keep in mind that an NHL regulation rink is 200 feet by 85 feet.

 

They’ve come a long way. Today, they play in GIANT Center, which also hosts other professional and semipro sports teams, as well as musical acts and other entertainments. GIANT Center became the Bears’ new home in 2002 – so it was a long journey from that tiny World War I-era rink in the 30s.

 

They didn’t stay at the Ice Palace for long. By 1936 they had moved to the Hersheypark Arena, also known as the “Hershey Sports Arena.”

 

GIANT Center broke ground in 2000. Owned by the Derry Township Municipal Authority, the $65 million structure was built partially as a new home for the Hershey Bears, and partially to be a new place for Hershey’s concerts and staged shows. The GIANT grocery chain, based in nearby Carlyle, has no ownership rights to the stadium, despite the name. GIANT Center belongs to the people of Pennsylvania.

 

Cher gave the GIANT Center’s inaugural show, but since its opening in 2002, it’s played host to a variety of acts, from 50 Cent to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra to Van Halen (once again featuring David Lee Roth).

 

Other acts appearing at GIANT Center include:

• Michael Buble
• Barnum and Bailey Circus
• Drew Carey
• The Harlem Globetrotters
• Disney on Ice
• Lynyrd Skynyrd and Hank Williams, Jr.
• Blue Man Group
• Trace Adkins
• Sesame Street Live
• Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood

 

GIANT Center is located at 950 Hersheypark Drive in Hershey, only a mile from the Days Inn Hershey and Hersheypark.