TwinsFest has successful Target Field debut

MINNEAPOLIS -- TwinsFest officially moved to Target Field on Friday, as thousands of fans filed into the ballpark on a snowy first day of the three-day event, which was formerly held at the Metrodome.

More than 70 current, former and future Twins players were on hand for TwinsFest, which allowed for far more fan interaction with the players at the new venue.

"We're excited, but at the same time we were apprehensive because TwinsFest at the Metrodome worked so well for so many years," Twins president Dave St. Peter said. "We tried to communicate it's a different event. But so far, so good. We've seen a few things we might want to tweak, but at the end of the day, it's been a lot of fun and fans are getting a chance to interact with players and get autographs and bid on memorabilia and raise money for the Twins Community Fund."

Many new features were added to TwinsFest this year, such as clubhouse tours, a chance to hit in the batting cages, interactive games with Twins players, the inaugural Twins Yard Sale and a "White Glove" tour hosted by team curator Clyde Doepner.

TwinsFest still includes autograph and photo sessions with players, as well as the region's largest sports memorabilia and collector's show, while adding increased player involvement. By Friday, tickets for Saturday sold out, but tickets were still available for Sunday.

"I think the best part of TwinsFest is that fans are accessing areas of Target Field they've never seen," St. Peter said. "That's a pretty cool thing. To see the look on a kid's face when he walks into the clubhouse, or for fans to be able to access the Metropolitan or Champions Club is a good experience."