2012 Astros FanFest set for Saturday at Minute Maid Park

HOUSTON, TX - The Houston Astros and the Astros In Action Foundation will host the club’s annual FanFest charity event from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11 at Minute Maid Park. The event is open to the public with no admission fee. Proceeds benefit the Astros Urban Youth Academy.

This year’s festival will include several current and former Astros players signing autographs, a “Talkin’ Baseball” session with Astros General Manager Jeff Luhnow and President & CEO George Postolos, and several activities for children. Fans will also have the opportunity to purchase autographed and game-used memorabilia as well as promotional items and MLB Authentics merchandise. Proceeds from the event benefit the Astros MLB Urban Youth Academy.

 Fans will also have the opportunity to paint or sign their name to the Astros 50th Anniversary mural, which will be displayed in the ballpark throughout the 2012 season.

Autograph Sessions

The list of current Astros players scheduled to sign autographs throughout the day are: Jed Lowrie, Chris Snyder, Brian Bogusevic, Jason Bourgeois, Jason Castro, Chris Johnson, Jed Lowrie, J.D. Martinez, Bud Norris ad Humberto Quintero and Fernando Rodriguez. Manager Brad Mills will also be in attendance.

 Former players scheduled to sign autographs include Enos Cabell, Larry Dierker, J.R. Richard, Shane Reynolds, Bob Watson, Jimmy Wynn and more.

 Talkin’ Baseball Sessions

Astros Hall of Fame broadcaster Milo Hamilton will host an informative and entertaining “Talkin’ Baseball” session with Luhnow and Postolos, during which fans will have the opportunity to participate. Alyson Footer will also host multiple sessions that day, including a chat with former Astros players and a sneak preview into the Astros 50th Anniversary celebration plans.

 Footer will also hold an interactive chat session with Astros manager Brad Mills and right-handed pitcher Bud Norris. The two will interact with fans in person and online simultaneously. The session will take place in the Union Station Lobby, where the two will take questions from fans in the audience and from fans following online.

 On The Playing Field

For a small donation, fans will have the unique opportunity to take batting practice on the field of Minute Maid Park. Opportunities to run the bases will also be available. Tours of Minute Maid Park will also be offered.

 Signature Nacho Sampling

Minute Maid Park’s culinary team has spent the offseason developing some new recipes. The Astros and ARAMARK, the team’s exclusive food and beverage partner, invite fans to help decide which signature nacho finalist will be featured on Minute Maid Park’s menu. Fans attending Astros FanFest will have the chance to sample and vote for their favorite nachos, which will be placed on the permanent menu in 2012. Signature nacho sampling and voting will be located at section 208 on the Club Level.

 Free Kids Activities

Several inflatable games on the field, face painters, balloon artists and a “Talkin’ Youth Baseball” session with Bourgeois are also a part of this year’s FanFest. “Story Time With Milo Hamilton” will feature the Astros radio voice reading a popular children’s story.

 This year’s event will also include a Special Valentine’s Day Buffet in the FiveSeven Grille and several entertaining video features throughout the ballpark and on the El Grande video board.

 ASTROS TICKETS ON SALE

 In conjunction with FanFest, the Astros will make their individual-game tickets for the 2012 regular season available for purchase beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday. Those tickets can be purchased online at Astros.com, at the Minute Maid Park Box Office or by calling Ticketmaster at 1-877-9ASTROS. Tickets may also be purchased at all Astros regular Houston-area Ticketmaster outlets. The Astros have plenty of special ticket offers available and will not be raising a single ticket price in 2012, as compared to prices at the end of the 2011 season