The San Diego Padres have released details about FanFest presented by State Farm on Saturday, April 4 at Petco Park. Gates open to the general public at 9 a.m. Padres members receive exclusive early access beginning at 8 a.m. First pitch for the exhibition game against the Mexico City Red Devils (Diablos Rojos del México) of the Mexican Baseball League is slated for 2 p.m.
As was previously announced, online registration for the annual free event is at capacity. Pre-registration is a requirement to enter FanFest, as each entry ticket includes an assigned seat for the exhibition game. For fans who did not pre-register before the event reached capacity, a limited number of Park Passes is expected to be released on site the day of the event. A standby line will be in place at the main ticket windows on Park Blvd. on April 4 for that purpose. Due to overwhelming demand for this event, re-entry will not be permitted, even for fans who pre-registered. As guests exit the ballpark, those in the standby line will be granted entry in their place.
FanFest will be the first opportunity for fans to see this season’s ballpark updates, including the new HD video board, left field seating renovations and new hospitality spaces. Free parking will be provided in Padres-owned lots around the ballpark, which are expected to fill quickly. Guests arriving after 9 a.m. should plan to utilize public transportation or parking in paid lots near the ballpark.
To help ease the flow of traffic into the ballpark, there will be three points of entry into FanFest: the Home Plate Gate on Park Blvd., the Gaslamp Gate on 7th Avenue and the East Village Gate on 10th Avenue. Autograph vouchers will be available at each gate, while supplies last. The first 4,500 guests through the gates each will receive a voucher to participate in an autograph session. New in 2015, the players and coaches involved in each autograph session will remain a surprise until the session begins.
The full 25-man roster is scheduled to participate at FanFest in some capacity, joined by coaches, alumni, broadcasters and members of the front office. In addition to participating in morning autograph sessions, fans will have the opportunity to play catch in the outfield until 11 a.m., when the field will be cleared to accommodate preparation for the exhibition game, including batting practice. The Red Devils will take the field for batting practice at approximately 11:30 a.m., followed by Padres batting practice at approximately 12:15 p.m.
Padres ownership will be joined by Manager Bud Black and Opening Day starting pitcher James Shields for a fan forum scheduled for 10:30 a.m., while Padres President and CEO Mike Dee and Padres EVP/General Manager A.J. Preller will be joined by 2014 All-Star Tyson Ross for a forum scheduled for 11 a.m. (Please note: forum participants are subject to change). The Padres’ flagship radio station, The Mighty 1090, will broadcast live from Petco Park throughout the day.
Also returning to FanFest, the Padres Foundation will host its annual Garage Sale inside the Park Blvd. gate. Fans will have the opportunity to purchase rare, one-of-a-kind Padres items, including game-used jerseys and batting helmets, with proceeds going to the Padres Foundation. The Padres Foundation prize wheel will make its 2015 debut at FanFest. For a suggested $5 donation, fans can spin the wheel and receive a Padres-themed prize, with proceeds benefitting the Foundation’s community programs.
Park at the Park will be fully activated all day featuring activities for the whole family, including the interactive “For those who Serve” Military and First Responder Zone, as well as the Sunday KidsFest setup, including bounce houses, games, obstacle courses and face painting.
The Padres Social Lounge will be located in left field on the set of Padres Social Hour at the AMR Studio in the Padres Team Store, and will feature a selfie station, player appearances and prizes. Fans are invited to participate in a social scavenger hunt from 8 to 10 a.m. Scavenger hunt details will be tweeted by @Padres at 8 a.m. Fans that complete the scavenger hunt can claim a #PadresFanFest prize at the Padres Social Lounge.
A full schedule of the day and a map are attached. Please note: the schedule is subject to change. The most up-to-date information can be found online at www.padres.com/fanfest.