MIAMI (WSVN) - The MLB All-Star Fan Fest officially opened to the public, Friday morning.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony included former Miami Marlin and MLB All-Star Ambassador Jeff Conine, alongside Tony Perez. The 2017 Fan Fest opened its doors at the Miami Beach Convention Center, located at 1901 Convention Center Drive, at 9 a.m..
“It’s a celebration,” said Conine. “It’s a celebration of baseball, is what this Fan Fest is all about. The All-Star Game, that’s what that’s all about, so to be a part of it, to be an ambassador of Major League Baseball is a big honor for me.”
Some fans were excited to not only be at Fan Fest but also to meet players. “Just seeing some of the players and enjoying the Fan Fest and all,” said fan Paul Gardner. “Learning how to bat and stuff for the kids, I think it’ll be a great experience for children.”
“I wanted to come for the Fan Fest because I want to do everything,” said another fan, Daniel Hernandez. “It’s exciting because we wanted it from 17 years ago, and there’s a lot to do here.”
It doesn’t matter if you’re a baseball fan or not — you’re sure to have some baseball fun. “Not only a first time for myself, but a first time for my son at a young age,” said Marlins fan, John Tirone. “I think it’s a great experience for not only him, but all of his friends and all the kids out here experiencing it.”
Constructing the Fan Fest took nearly one million hours of work and includes the world’s largest baseball exhibit, along with a collection of MLB trophies like the World Series trophy and Negro League displays.
There will also be displays by the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and a Hometown Heroes exhibit.
The hours are Friday through Monday, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. On Tuesday, the Fan Fest will last from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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