Let’s get this party started.

The Menace’s 25th-anniversary season is kicking off this Thursday, and you are invited to the celebration.

We’ve got food trucks, a marching band, robotics, and so much more in store for May 24…

and we’ve even got a soccer game in the works!

Thanks for making plans to join the Opening Night festivities, and we hope you’ll find this info helpful.

WHO: Des Moines Menace vs. WSA Winnipeg – USA vs. Canada

WHAT: The start of the 2018 Premier Development League season

WHEN: Thursday, May 24 at 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: Valley Stadium (4440 Mills Civic Parkway in West Des Moines)

WHY: Here’s your first glimpse of a revamped #Menace2018Roster ready to continue the Menace’s run of four straight berths in the Premier Development League playoffs.

PROMOTIONS: It’s Student Night, when students and educators get in for just $5. The first 500 fans will receive magnet schedules.

FOOD TRUCKS: Flame the Food Truck ("New American Cuisine") and Top Bun (voted CityView’s 2018 Best Local Food Truck) will be at the game. The West Des Moines Valley Booster Club will also be running the stadium’s concession stand on the field level.

KIDS’ ZONE: Children are invited to head to the east side of Valley Stadium to play in the Principal Street Soccer Court and the Soccer Ball Bounce House. There’s no additional charge for the Kids’ Zone, which is open from 6:30 p.m. until the game’s 70th minute.

BEFORE THE GAME: In the hour leading up to game time, students from West Des Moines Robotics will be showcasing their high-tech creations in the plaza. Children are invited on the field, starting at 7:20, for the human tunnel – Give high fives to the players as they enter the field for lineup introductions.

This game is preceded by a 5 p.m. high school girls soccer match: West Des Moines Valley vs. Mason City

NATIONAL ANTHEM: The Des Moines Hoover High School marching band will perform The Star-Spangled Banner.

FIRST HALF: Sign up at the Info Table for a chance at one of two V.I.P. table upgrades, thanks to Kum & Go and Soccer Master. If you’re 18 and older, play 50/50 for a chance at a cash payout, while supporting the Menace Academy.

HALFTIME: In addition to Chuck-for-a-Buck (Buy your red rubber balls during the first half, and take aim at sponsor prizes), we’ll have performance by a baton twirler and then Dance-A-Cross.

SECOND HALF: If you’re 18 and older, play 50/50 for a chance at a cash payout, while supporting the Menace Academy. 50/50 tickets will be available from pregame to soon after halftime. We’ll announce the winner around the 70th minute.

TICKETS: $10 for adults (18 and older); Normally $8 for youth (ages 6-17), though we’ve discounted these tickets to $5 for Student Night; Free admission for ages 5 and under. $20 for a sideline seat at a V.I.P. table. The ticket silo (on field level) opens at 6 p.m.

ONLINE TICKETS: Click here and save on your adult general-admission tickets when you order online at least 48 hours before game time.

GROUP OUTINGS: Here’s how to save on your tickets when you bring 10 or more people to the game.

We thank and welcome the following groups attending this game:

Kum & Go, Solar Transportation, Saxton Inc., Special Olympics of Iowa, and Dance-a-Cross.

PARKING: Season-ticket members receive access to the V.I.P. Parking Lot (field level) close to the entrance. There’s also plenty of free parking available in the upper parking lot as well as the City Hall parking lot.

SUPPORTERS’ CLUBS: Want to hang out with some soccer nuts? You can cheer and chant with the Red Army in the bleachers behind the north goal. Or, new this year, you Kids can make some noise with the Bucket Brigade at midfield; they’ll have five-gallon buckets (and drumsticks) for you to borrow. You can beat on the buckets while the Menace beats on our opponents!

RESTROOMS: There are two sets of restrooms – one on the north side of the main building (to the left of the entrance) and one on the upper level (behind the west bleachers).

AFTER THE GAME: Meet the Menace players on the field for autographs and pictures. For the 21-and-older crowd, join the players and coaches at BeerStyles Taproom & Gastropub (in West Glen Town Center) for the Official Postgame Party of the Menace – Your ticket stub will get you a free drink.

WHAT’S NEXT: This is the Menace’s only home action before June 15, when a Fireworks Friday kickstarts a stretch of five straight weekends of home action.

Thanks for being part of the Menace. We look forward to hosting you at Valley Stadium!