Pepper’s Second Birthday Party Includes Preseason Ignite Scrimmage With Columbus Fury

Pepper’s Second Birthday Party Includes Preseason Ignite Scrimmage With Columbus Fury

Full Day of Free Family Fun Set for Dec. 13 at Fishers Event Center

By Mark Robinson

 

FISHERS, Ind. (Oct. 15, 2026) – Pepper, the diva mascot of the Indy Ignite, is turning 2. The free holiday celebration is set, and you’re invited!

Pepper’s Birthday Party, presented by Indiana Members Credit Union and benefiting Special Olympics Indiana, takes place Dec. 13 at Fishers Event Center, the home court for the Ignite’s Major League Volleyball matches.

Family-centered activities on tap include a meet-and-greet with Pepper and other mascots from area sports franchises; a visit from the jolly old man himself, Santa Claus; a performance by the Ignite’s dance team, the Firestarters; and holiday candy and other treats donated by team sponsors along the event’s “Candy Cane Lane.” There will also be face painting and, of course, a birthday celebration honoring the Ignite’s wildly popular birthday girl.

For the first time in franchise history, the Ignite will also host a preseason pro scrimmage against the Columbus Fury. It will be the first public appearance for both teams as they prepare for the 2027 MLV season, which opens in January.

The free event gives fans an early look at the elite volleyball played in Major League Volleyball while celebrating the holidays. Fans may also choose to donate $5, $10 or $20 to Special Olympics Indiana, which provides meaningful training and competition opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities.

“We are really excited for our fans, specifically our season ticket members but also those who have never been to a pro volleyball game, to visit our amazing home court for an absolutely free event,” said Carly Klanac, vice president of marketing and game day experience for the Ignite. 

The chance to support Special Olympics Indiana is part of the Ignite’s ongoing effort to improve access to sports, particularly volleyball, for everyone, said Randi Raff, the team’s director of community relations.

“Every athlete deserves a place to play, and Special Olympics has spent decades making that true, both across the country and right here in our community,” Raff said. “Partnering with them speaks to two of the causes we care about most as an organization: access to sport and a real sense of belonging and inclusion. We want to share our platform with the athletes at Special Olympics and help create more opportunities for Unified sports teams in Hamilton County and beyond. Pepper’s Birthday Party is completely free, and when fans claim their tickets they can choose a donation amount to support Special Olympics Indiana, which serves 20,000 athletes statewide.”

All the action begins at 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Dec. 13, at Fishers Event Center. Tickets, which are free, are required for Pepper’s Birthday Party; visit this Ticketmaster link to secure them. Fans may choose to make a donation to Special Olympics Indiana during the ticketing process.