PirateFest Highlights for Friday, December 14- Sunday, December 16, 2012

The 23^rd annual PirateFest-- presented by T-Mobile-- will get underway at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center on Friday, December 14 with a Season Ticket Holders only event and open to the general public on Saturday, December 15 and Sunday, December 16.

The annual baseball carnival will be Pirates-themed with activities for the entire family featuring live events, free autograph sessions with current and former Pirates players, the ability to purchase tickets for the 2013 season, prizes, games, youth baseball clinics, the Pirate Parrot and much more.

Please see below for a complete list of each day’s scheduled events. **Note- all event times and participants are subject to change without notice.

Friday, December 14, 2012 (6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.)—Pirates Season Ticket Holders-only

• Pirates Autographs: Jose Tabata, Clint Barmes and Pedro Alvarez (6:30 to 7 p.m.); Michael McKenry, Alex Presley, Jack Wilson and Vernon Law (7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.).

• Deal or No Deal: Fans can participate in the fun as Pirates broadcaster Tim Neverett will host Deal or No Deal on the Pirates main stage from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. featuring Pirates infielder Gaby Sanchez.

• Reading with the Parrot: From 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. the Pirate Parrot and the Cannonball Crew will entertain kids and parents on the PirateFest Field with a special Reading with the Parrot.

• Wii Home Run Derby: Think you got what it takes to take on Pirates infielder Josh Harrison in a home run derby? Then step to the plate on the PirateFest Field as the Wii Home Run Derby will take place from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

• Ask Pirates Management: Fans will have the opportunity to ask their questions about offseason moves, the 2013 season, and more, in this special Q&A with Pirates management team Frank Coonelly, Neal Huntington, and Clint Hurdle on the main stage from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

• Pierogie Eating Contest: Pirates infielder Neil Walker will join fans in a Pierogie eating contest-- presented by Mrs. T’s Pierogies-- hosted by Tim Neverett on the PirateFest Field from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.

• “Oh Say Can You Sing” Competition: Fans interested in trying out for the “Oh Say Can You Sing?” competition will sing a holiday carol of their choice a cappella for a panel of judges during auditions. The judges will then pass out 10 “golden tickets” throughout the day. Those fans will participate in the “Oh Say Can You Sing?” competition on the main stage from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. A panel of judges including Pirates Jared Hughes, Josh Harrison and Bryan Morris will select one winner to sing the Star Spangled Banner at a Pirates home game in 2013.

Saturday, December 15, 2012 (12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.)

• Tickets: The Will Call ticket window at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. today.

• Blood Drive: The Pirates and Central Blood Bank will host a blood drive today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the concourse. All participating donors will receive free entrance to TODAY’S PirateFest.

• Pirates Autographs: Michael McKenry, Dick Groat, Justin Wilson and Jeff Locke (12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.); Neil Walker, Clint Barmes and Gaby Sanchez (1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.); Jack Wilson, Vernon Law and Doug Drabek (3 p.m. to 4 p.m.); Jose Tabata, Josh Harrison, Starling Marte and Alex Presley (4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.); Andrew McCutchen, Jared Hughes and Bryan Morris (5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.).

• We are Fam-A-Lee Feud: Pirates broadcaster Greg Brown will put a Bucco spin on the classic game that will take place on the main stage from noon to 1 p.m. and will feature Jared Hughes and Josh Harrison.

• Photos with Santa: Fans will have a chance to get their picture taken with Santa Claus on the PirateFest Field during the following times:

1. Noon to 1 p.m.
2. 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
3. 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
4. 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. 

• Youth Baseball Clinic: Want to learn from the pros? Future big leaguers are encouraged to join Clint Hurdle, Jay Bell and Steve Blass at the PirateFest Field from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. for a special baseball clinic.

Deal or No Deal: Fans can participate in the fun as a Pirates broadcaster will host Deal or No Deal on the Pirates main stage during the below times

1. 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. featuring Pirates broadcaster Greg Brown and outfielder Alex Presley
2. 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. featuring Pirates broadcaster John Wehner and catcher Michael McKenry

• Card Sharks: Neil Walker and Joe Klimchak on the main stage for the Bucs Version of Card Sharks from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

• PirateFest Q&A: Greg Brown will host a special Q&A between Pirates fans and all attending players and coaches on the main stage from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

• Ask Pirates Management: Fans will have the opportunity to ask their questions about offseason moves, the 2013 season, and more in this special Q&A with Pirates management team Frank Coonelly, Neal Huntington, and Clint Hurdle on the main stage from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

• “Oh Say Can You Sing” Competition: Fans interested in trying out for the “Oh Say Can You Sing?” competition will sing a holiday carol of their choice a cappella for a panel of judges during auditions. The judges will then pass out 10 “golden tickets” throughout the day. Those fans will participate in the “Oh Say Can You Sing?” competition on the main stage from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. A panel of judges including Pirates Michael McKenry and Pedro Alvarez and Pirates alumni Kent Tekulve and John Wehner, will select one winner to sing the Star Spangled Banner at a Pirates home game in 2013.

• Pierogie Eating Contest: Pirates infielder Gaby Sanchez will join fans in a Pierogie eating contest-- presented by Mrs. T’s Pierogies-- hosted by Steve Blass on the PirateFest Field from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Sunday, December 16, 2012 (12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.)

• Tickets: The Will Call ticket window at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center will be open from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. today.

• Blood Drive: The Pirates and Central Blood Bank will host a blood drive today from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the concourse. All participating donors will receive free entrance to PirateFest.

• Pirates Autographs: Jose Tabata, Pedro Alvarez, Jeff Locke and Doug Drabek (noon to 1:30 p.m.); Andrew McCutchen, Gaby Sanchez and Dick Groat (1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.); Josh Harrison, Justin Wilson and Bryan Morris (3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

• Photos with Santa: Fans will have a chance to get their picture taken with Santa Claus on the PirateFest Field during the following times:

1. 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
2. 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. 

• Youth Baseball Clinic: Want to learn from the pros? Future big leaguers are encouraged to join Clint Hurdle, Jay Bell and Bob Walk at the PirateFest Field from noon to 1 p.m. for a special baseball clinic.

• Deal or No Deal: Fans can participate in the fun as Pirates broadcaster Tim Neverett will host Deal or No Deal on the Pirates main stage from noon to 1 p.m. featuring Pirates infielder Gaby Sanchez.

• Card Sharks: Alex Presley and Joe Klimchak on the main stage for the Bucs version of Card Sharks from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

• We are Fam-A-Lee Feud: Pirates broadcaster Tim Neverett will put a Bucco spin on the classic game that will take place on the main stage from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. and will feature Clint Barmes and Neil Walker.

• Pierogie Eating Contest: Pirates infielder Pedro Alvarez will join fans in a Pierogie eating contest-- presented by Mrs. T’s Pierogies-- hosted by Bob Walk on the PirateFest Field from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

• “Oh Say Can You Sing” Competition: Fans interested in trying out for the “Oh Say Can You Sing?” competition will sing a holiday carol of their choice a cappella for a panel of judges during auditions. The judges will then pass out 10 “golden tickets” throughout the day. Those fans will participate in the “Oh Say Can You Sing?” competition on the main stage from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. A panel of judges including Pirates Andrew McCutchen and Gaby Sanchez and Pirates alumni Kent Tekulve and John Wehner, will select one winner to sing the Star Spangled Banner at a Pirates home game in 2013.

Toy Drive

Fans attending PirateFest are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to the Pirates Charities booth to support the Allegheny County Department of Human Services. The toys will be donated throughout Allegheny County through the Office of Children, Youth and Families. All fans who donate a new toy at PirateFest will receive a special Pirates item.

Parking Information

Fans are encouraged to park in the David L. Lawrence Convention Center garage or the surface lot on 11^th Street and Smallman Street in the Pittsburgh Strip District.