The Padres annual FanFest is getting bigger. Instead of the typical single-day baseball extravaganza at Petco Park, the 2016 version will stretch in to a two-day affair.
FanFest 2016 takes place this Friday and Saturday, in conjunction with two exhibition games against the White Sox at Petco Park. The Park at the Park will be open each day with the whiffle ball field hosting games for kids 14 and under.
On Friday, fans can expect a preview of this season’s Friday night Party in the Park presented by Southwest Airlines events, including entertainment provided by a DJ, as well as food and drink specials. Saturday will feature entertainment provided by a live band, as well as a preview of this season’s Sunday KidsFest events, including bounce houses, games, obstacle courses and face painting. The interactive “For those who Serve” Military and First Responder Zone will be open Saturday.
Gates open at 4:30 p.m. for FanFest activities. The seating bowl and Home Plate Gate open at 6 p.m. with first pitch against Chicago set for 7 p.m.
On Saturday, Park at the Park gates open to the general public at 10 a.m. (unless you’re a Padres Member, you can get in at 9 a.m. like at Disneyland). The seating bowl and Home Plate Gate open at noon. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m. Following Saturday’s game, fans will be invited on the field for the opportunity to run the bases.
On both days fans will get a chance to see the new two-level group and social space in right field: The Pier and the Sun Diego Beach. The relocation of the beach area was a hot topic among the Padres fan base in the off-season so it will be interesting to see how the new setup is received.
The Padres Foundation annual Garage Sale also returns this year. On both Friday and Saturday fans will have the opportunity to purchase Padres items, including game-used jerseys and batting helmets, with proceeds going to the Padres Foundation.
Now, here’s the really important information ... how much will it cost us?
Everything that’s not an actual baseball game is open to the public free of charge (no ticket or pre-registration necessary). General admission tickets to the exhibition games are free for all Padres Season Ticket Members (one ticket for every seat on their Membership account) and $10 for the general public. Tickets for the exhibition games are now on sale at www.padres.com and at the Padres Advance Ticket Windows at Petco Park.
Free parking will be available to Padres Members in Padres-owned lots around the ballpark on a first-come, first-served basis. General fan parking is $15 in Padres-owned lots and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Various Padres players, coaches and alumni will sign autographs at Park at the Park between 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on Saturday. Autographs will be available on a first-come, first-served basis so there will be lines and autographs are not guaranteed.
Standard Petco Park security and screening procedures will be in place for Padres FanFest. Re-entry will be permitted for FanFest events, but fans who exit will be screened again upon re-entry into the ballpark.
You can find information updates by visiting www.padres.com/fanfest for additional details and the most up-to-date information.
