The 27th annual PirateFest -- presented by Chick-fil-A -- will get underway at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center on Saturday, December 10 with a Season Ticket Members only event from 10 a.m. to noon, and open to the general public from noon to 7 p.m. and Sunday, December 11 from 10 a.m. to noon for Members, with general public times from noon to 4 p.m.
The annual indoor baseball carnival will be Pirates-themed with activities for the entire family featuring live events, free autograph sessions for kids 14 and under, the ability to purchase ticket packages for the 2017 season, prizes, games, the Pirate Parrot and much more.
Autograph session tickets are available now for a $20 donation per session at Pirates.com/PirateFest. All proceeds from the event to support Pirates Charities, the Salvation Army/Western Pennsylvania Division and Catholic Charities of Pittsburgh. The Salvation Army's "Project Bundle Up" provides new winter outerwear for disadvantaged kids, who may have only previously worn second-hand coats, helping to improve their self-esteem.
The Catholic Charities Winter Warming Center is a place where those in need can go when the daytime high temperature is below 32 degrees. The warming station, located at The Susan Zubik Welcome Center in downtown Pittsburgh, will be open for those in need throughout the winter months. 
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. 
Saturday, December 10, 2016 (General Public: 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.)
Pirates Autographs:
10 - 11:30 a.m. Gerrit Cole, Jordy Mercer and Drew Hutchison
11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Andrew McCutchen, Tyler Glasnow and Nick Kingham
1 - 2:30 p.m. Chris Bostick, Trevor Williams and Dave Parker
2:30 - 4 p.m. Bill Mazeroski, Jack Wilson and Kevin Young
4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. John Jaso, Chris Stewart and Doug Drabek
5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. David Freese, Felipe Rivero and Kent Tekulve 
PirateFest Main Stage: Coach's Q&A: All Pirates coaches in attendance will take part in a special DICK's Sporting Goods Coach's Q&A from 11 a.m. to noon with Pirates personality Joe Klimchak. 
Card Sharks: Pirates personality Joe Klimchak will be on the main stage with special guests Adam Frazier and Drew Hutchison for the Bucs version of Card Sharks from noon to 1 p.m
Kids Press Conference: Kids, this is your turn to ask the questions. All kids in attendance will have the opportunity to sit in on the special Kids Press Conference from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. with Pirates Tyler Glasnow and Nick Kingham, moderated by Pirates broadcaster Joe Block. 
Deal or No Deal: Fans can participate in the fun as Pirates broadcaster Joe Block will host Deal or No Deal on the Pirates main stage from 2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. featuring John Jaso. 
Pirates 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 2017 season, and more in this special Q&A with Pirates management team Frank Coonelly, Neal Huntington and Clint Hurdle on the main stage with Pirates broadcaster Greg Brown from 4 p.m. to 5 pm
Pierogy Eating Contest: Pirates fans will have the opportunity to participate in the popular Pierogy eating contest-- presented by Mrs. T's Pierogies-- hosted by Bob Walk from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
"Oh Say Can You Sing" Competition: Fans interested in trying out for the "Oh Say Can You Sing" competition will sing The Star Spangled Banner 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 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. A panel of judges including Pirates Josh Bell, Chris Stewart and Steven Brault and emcee Bob Walk will select one winner to sing the Star Spangled Banner at a Pirates home game in 2017.
Coach's Corner:
Includes instruction and tips from Pirates coaches in the PirateFest batting cages.
Noon - 1 p.m. Heberto Andrade and Kimera Bartee
1 p.m. - 2 p.m. Joey Cora and Euclides Rojas
2 p.m. - 3 p.m. Jeff Branson and Ray Searage
4 p.m. - 5 p.m. Heberto Andrade and Joey Cora
5 p.m. - 6 p.m. Euclides Rojas and Jeff Branson
Sunday, December 11, 2016 (General Public: 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.)
Pirates Autographs:
10 - 11:30 a.m. Chris Bostick, Tyler Glasnow and Doug Drabek
11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Jordy Mercer, Steven Brault and Dave Parker
1 - 2:30 p.m. Josh Bell, Tony Watson and Kevin Young
2:30 - 4 p.m. Gerrit Cole, Adam Frazier and Felipe Rivero 
PirateFest Main Stage: Deal or No Deal: Fans can participate in the fun as Pirates broadcaster Steve Blass will host Deal or No Deal on the Pirates main stage from 11 a.m. to noon featuring Chris Stewart.
Pierogy Eating Contest: Pirates fans will have the opportunity to participate in the popular Pierogy eating contest-- presented by Mrs. T's Pierogies-- hosted by Bob Walk and featuring Drew Hutchison on the PirateFest main stage from noon to 1 p.m
Ask Pirates Management: Fans will have the opportunity to ask their questions about offseason moves, the 2014 season, and more in this special Q&A with Pirates management team Frank Coonelly, Neal Huntington and Clint Hurdle on the main stage from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m 
Card Sharks: Pirates personality Joe Klimchak will be on the main stage with special guest Jack Wilson for the Bucs version of Card Sharks 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 The Star Spangled Banner 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 Clint Hurdle, Kevin Young, Tony Watson and emcee Joe Klimchak will select one winner to sing the Star Spangled Banner at a Pirates home game in 2017
Coach's Corner:
Includes instruction and tips from Pirates coaches in the PirateFest batting cages.
11 a.m. - Noon Euclides Rojas and Heberto Andrade
Noon - 1 p.m. Ray Searage and Kimera Bartee
1 p.m. - 2 p.m. Jeff Branson and Heberto Andrade
Winter Outerwear Drive: Fans are encouraged to bring new winter outerwear items to the Pirates Charities booth to support the Salvation Army and Catholic Charities. In exchange for donated items, fans will receive a specially designed Pirates oven mitt. Items requested include:
Adult coats, gloves, hats, hoodies and scarves - all sizes are welcome, but there is an additional need for L, XL and XXL coats, gloves and hats for both men and women.
Children's (ages birth to 18) boots, coats, gloves, hats and scarves. 
Pirates Holiday Six-Pack: The Pirates have proudly partnered with the Pittsburgh-based specialty retail and lifestyle brand Shop 412 on the 2017 Holiday Six-Pack, the perfect gift for the Pirates fan on everyone's list. As part of this collaboration, each individual ticket package will include a specially designed 412 and Pirates branded water bottle as the perfect gift for under the tree. As a special bonus, fans purchasing the 2017 Holiday Six-Packs will receive one additional water bottle per transaction as a holiday gift from the Pirates and 412. NOW as a special offer throughout PirateFest only: Fans who buy a Holiday Six-Pack this weekend will get the Wednesday, April 26 game vs. Chicago Cubs for FREE. 
Parking Information: Fans are encouraged to park in the David L. Lawrence Convention Center garage or the surface lot on 11th Street and Smallman Street in the Pittsburgh Strip District. 
Pirates Charities Raffle: Fans are encouraged to visit the Pirates Charities booth to purchase raffle tickets for the chance to win autographed jerseys, baseballs, bats and more from Pirates players, as well as autographed items from a number of other Major League Baseball teams. Tickets will be on-sale at the booth and will be one for $2 or three for $5 with all proceeds benefiting Pirates Charities. The drawing will take place on Sunday, December 11 at 4 p.m. Winner need not be present. 
Pirates Authentics Pirates Authentics, along with memorabilia partner Hunt Auctions, will have all your favorite player autographed and gameused items available for purchase at PirateFest. This year's premium items feature Pirates game-used baseballs, gameused bases and game-worn jerseys. Hunt Auctions will be offering appraisal services as attendees of PirateFest will have the opportunity to have their sports memorabilia and cards appraised by Hunt Auctions' nationally recognized experts. The appraisals are conducted at no charge at PirateFest with categories including autographs, cards, bats, tickets, programs, and game-used items. Fans who wish to arrange for a specific timed appointment or need assistance in the handling of their items may contact [email protected] for more details. 
Bucaroos Kids Club
It's time to register the kids for the 2017 Bucaroos Kids Club, presented by Chick-fil-a, membership. The 2017 Bucaroos Kids Club is for kids ages 14 and younger, offers special member-only benefits, is valid all year long and has two great membership options with the Gold and Silver Membership choices. Membership information, registration and packages will be available at PirateFest. 
BucSocial VIP Area: Followers of the Pirates social media sites were given an opportunity to win passes to the Pirates exclusive BucSocial VIP area simply by following the Pirates on Twitter, Snapchat, Facebook and Instagram. A special meet and greet with Pirates players, coaches and celebrities in our BucSocial VIP Area, a chance to create content for our social media channels, an opportunity to interview players and more! Below are a list of the players and celebrities scheduled to appear in the BucSocial VIP area: 
Saturday
11:30 a.m. Jordy Mercer
1:30 p.m. Andrew McCutchen
4 p.m. Trevor Williams
5 p.m. David Freese 
Sunday
11:30 a.m. Tyler Glasnow
12:30 p.m. Josh Bell
1:30 p.m. Adam Frazier
2 p.m. Gerrit Cole 
Pirates Group Tickets Pirates Group Ticket Packages are now available for the 2017 season. A Pirates group outing starts at just 15 tickets, and is the perfect way to entertain clients, promote teamwork, strengthen relationships, and boost morale while experiencing an unforgettable event! Companies, schools, churches, associations, and teams will all enjoy special group benefits. For more information regarding purchasing group tickets, talk with a representative at the 2016 PirateFest, call 1-800-BUY-BUCS or visit pirates.com/groups. 
Pirates Season Ticket Plans Full Season, Half Season, 20-game and Season Ticket Memberships are available for the 2017 season. Full and partialseason ticket plans feature exclusive benefits including guaranteed seats for the biggest games, discounted ticket prices, invitations to special membership events featuring Pirates players and executives, plus much more. For more information regarding purchasing a membership, talk with a member representative at PirateFest, call 1-800-BUY-BUCS or visit pirates.com/tickets.