Golden State Valkyries raising flag throughout Bay Area ahead of team’s first playoffs

(KRON) — The Golden State Valkyries are heading to the WNBA first-round playoffs in their inaugural season and are waving their flag throughout the Bay Area as fan excitement builds for sports history.

Over the next several days, the Valkyries will raise their team flag at community rallies planned in their fan hubs of San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose. Attendees are encouraged to take public transit to the events, but street parking will be available on a first-come basis.

The flag-raising and community events kick off with team forward Kayla Thornton and president Jess Smith joining San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie at City Hall at 2:15 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12.

Valkyries mascot Violet will join Smith at Oakland City Hall at noon Monday, Sept. 15, along with Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee.

On Tuesday, Sept. 16, Smith will join San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan at City Hall at noon.

Violet, who hatched in August as the team’s original mascot, is scheduled to appear only at the San Francisco and San Jose City Hall events.

The Valkyries will play their first-round home game on Wednesday, Sept. 17 at SAP Center in San Jose due to a scheduling conflict at their regular home base of Chase Center. Tip-off is at 7 p.m.

In a social media post on Sept. 4 after the team clinched their playoff berth, Mayor Mahan wrote, “Welcome to San Jose @valkyries.”