Astros 2016 Caravan Commences January 18
Annual fan outreach tour to make numerous stops over five days
The 2016 Houston Astros Caravan presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors will commence on Monday, Jan. 18, in an effort to connect with Astros fans throughout Houston and central and south Texas.
The trip around Texas consists of several simultaneous tours over the course of five days with stops in the greater Houston area (Jan. 18-22), San Antonio (Jan. 19), Austin (Jan. 20) and Corpus Christi (Jan. 20).
The Astros and the Astros Foundation will kick off Astros Caravan week with a day of service on Jan. 18, at Houston Food Bank and Star of Hope locations throughout the Houston area, and one Academy Sports + Outdoors signing in the Houston area.
The Caravan will give Astros players and broadcasters an opportunity to engage with and thank fans as the team gears up for Spring Training and the 2016 season. The fan outreach tour will also engage with local first responders, stop at several different health care centers and conduct baseball and softball clinics. There will be several opportunities for fans to get autographs from Astros players at select Academy Sports + Outdoors locations. The Caravan will also consist of several "Caravan Jams" in specific markets (North Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Corpus Christi and downtown Houston), which will feature music, inflatables, face painters, traditional baseball food, and interaction with players for fans through a public Q&A.
Current players and broadcasters joining the tour will be announced in the coming weeks.
Astros FanFest will cap off the week-long Caravan at Minute Maid Park on Saturday, Jan. 23 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. with activities for all ages including autograph sessions with many current and former players, swings in the Astros batting cages, running the bases, bullpen throwing sessions, an interactive kids zone, fan forums with front office staff and current players, a vendor expo, clubhouse tours, a dedicated Social Media Zone and PlazaFest which includes a live petting zoo. Additionally, Houston Methodist will be conducting a blood drive during the event. The majority of FanFest proceeds will benefit the Astros Foundation's programs for at-risk children and teens.
A detailed Caravan schedule will be released in the coming weeks. For more information and complete details on Fanfest, visit www.astros.com/fanfest.