The LA Kings have teamed up with local ice rinks throughout Southern California the last couple of months to bring you “Rink Fan Fests.” It’s like a party in the parking lot; very similar to what you’d see outside STAPLES Center before a Kings game.

You have the Inflatable Puck Shoot and Portable Street Hockey Rink to test your skills, autograph sessions with Kings broadcasters, alumni members and the LA Kings Ice Crew. Mascot Bailey is running around greeting fans and you’ll even see and hear in-arena host Jay Flats on the mic.

At a few events the Kings have even brought the party inside as they’ve put together the “Game Day Experience” with PA announcers, organ music, intermission activities, etc.

During the month of December the Kings have been accepting new, unwrapped toys at “Rink Fan fests.” Proceeds will benefit local youth based organizations, including Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, the Child Abuse Prevention Center and After School All-Stars.

“The Fan Fests were developed to allow Kings fans to interact with the organization during this time,” Kings Senior Manager, Chris Crotty said. “The Kings teamed up with local ice rinks in various Southern California locations in order to provide access to as many fans as possible.”

Kings Radio Color Commentator and member of the LA Kings Alumni Association Presented By Toyota Daryl Evans has been a regular attendee to the “Rink Fan Fests” and has enjoyed the fan interaction.

“I think the Fan Fests have gone over really well,” Evans said. “The rinks that we’ve been to, we’ve had good reception, a lot of people still feeling the buzz from the Stanley Cup. I know the people that have gone to the sessions have enjoyed interacting as well, being able to talk about the Kings, what’s going on, what the Stanley Cup has meant and how they’ve accepted it as a fan base.

“I think the biggest thing is just getting to know the fans, these are the people that are coming out and watching the games night in and night out, they’re great supporters and I think just sometimes it’s great to be able to put a face to a name and share a couple of moments with them…just be able to talk a little lighter with them.”

The final Rink Fan Fest of 2012 is set to take place this Sunday at the Ice Station Valencia from noon to 3 p.m. Scheduled to appear are Kings broadcasters Bob Miller, Nick Nickson, Jim Fox and Daryl Evans, alumnus Steve Heinze, Bailey and the LA Kings Ice Crew. The Ice Crew, broadcasters and alumni will be signing autographs from noon – 1p.m. For more info CLICK HERE