Players, Padres Packs highlight FanFest
Feb. 8 event to include annual Garage Sale, access to field, new bullpen
SAN DIEGO -- The Padres on Thursday announced details regarding their annual FanFest event, which is presented by State Farm and will be held Feb. 8 at Petco Park.
Fans will have the first opportunity to purchase Padres Packs, with options for three, six or nine games. Any purchase of Padres Packs comes with first access to also purchase tickets to the Padres' Opening Day game against the Dodgers on March 30.
FanFest will again be free and open to the public with the gates scheduled to open to the general public at 10 a.m. PT. Padres Members receive exclusive early access from 8:30-9:30 a.m. Members will be sent instructions through email on how to print their early-access passes.
Starting Thursday, fans who are not Padres Members can register at no cost at www.padres.com/fanfest for a special pass allowing them to enter the ballpark at 9:30 a.m.
FanFest will run until 4 p.m. and free parking will be provided in four locations: three surface lots along Imperial Avenue (southeast side of Petco Park) and the Padres Parkade garage (10th Avenue and J Street).
More than two dozen current Padres players will be in attendance as well as former players, broadcasters and members of the front office.
Fans attending the event will have the opportunity to get autographs, tour the clubhouse, run the bases and catch fly balls in the outfield. New this year, fans will get the opportunity to throw in the Padres' redesigned home bullpen.
In memory of Jerry Coleman, there will be an opportunity during FanFest for fans to visit his statue at the East Village gate to record a message about the Hall of Fame-honored broadcaster or a memory of their favorite Coleman call. Coleman passed away Jan. 5 at the age of 89.
In addition, the Padres Foundation will host its annual Garage Sale inside the Park Boulevard 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.
Last year, the Garage Sale raised over $64,000 for the Padres Foundation.
The team is encouraging fans to arrive early at FanFest to get their first choice of the 5,000 autograph session vouchers and Garage Sale merchandise. A full schedule of the day's events, as well as a list of participants, will be released next week. The most up-to-date information can be found online at www.padres.com/fanfest.
In terms of Padres Packs, they may only be purchased on site at FanFest, near the visitor's dugout. Visit www.padres.com/schedule for the complete 2014 schedule, including game times (subject to change). Members receive the best seats, prices and benefits. Blue, Gold and Platinum Memberships are on sale now.