Opening Day info!

Here's a news release from the Braves about the goodies on Opening Day!

I'll be sitting in the TOP of section 417 (ugh). The first 5 blog fans to find me either during BP or during the game get a prize! This is my face and I'll be with these two characters. :) Hope to see you there!!

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A Fan’s Guide to Opening Day

Monday, April 5th – Braves vs. Cubs – 4:10 p.m.


FAN PROMOTIONS & ENTERTAINMENT

· Gates open at 1:30 p.m.

· Pre-game ceremonies on the field beginning at approximately 3:40 will include:

o A “Braves Country” celebration narrated by legendary Atlanta Journal Constitution sports columnist Furman Bisher

o Both teams will take the field in full-squad introductions.

o National Anthem performance by the multi-platinum, Grammy winning artist Travis Tritt

o Flyover by pilots from Columbus Air Force Base in Mississippi following the National Anthem

· Beatles tribute band, The Return, a fan-favorite and Braves 2009 Band of the Year winners, will perform before and after the game in Fan Plaza.

· The Braves Tomahawk Team and Heavy Hitters will entertain in Fan Plaza before the game, and the Tomahawk Team will shoot t-shirts into the all levels of the stands before the game begins.

· The Atlanta Opera’s Timothy Miller will perform God Bless America before the fans sing Take Me Out to the Ballgame during the 7th inning stretch.



OPENING DAY TICKETS

Opening Day individual tickets as well as ticket packages (including season tickets, mini plans and flex plans) and parking may be purchased at www.braves.com, the Braves Ticket Office at Turner Field, the Braves Clubhouse Store at the CNN Center, all PUBLIX Ticketmaster outlets, or by calling 1-800-745-3000 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              1-800-745-3000      end_of_the_skype_highlighting.


· 186 $1 Skyline Seats will go on sale at 1:30 p.m. (1 ticket per person, cash only)

· Just announced: A limited # of suite tickets will be released on Friday for Opening Day. The $100 Suite Ticket includes a seat in a Turner Field suite, $30 of food and beverage credit, and 755 Club access. Fans can purchase the Suite Tickets while they last at braves.com/homeopener.

· Braves ticket windows are open Friday until the 6th inning, Saturday from 8:30 a.m. – 6th inning, and Sunday from 1 -5 for fans who have pre-purchased tickets and would like to pick them up in advance. The Braves Ticket Office will open at 8:30 a.m. on Opening Day.



GETTING TO THE BALLPARK

· Turner Field parking maps can be found at braves.com/parking along with detailed directions, parking and traffic information.

· On Opening Day the Turner Field parking lots will open four hours prior to first pitch, at 12:10 p.m.

· The Green, Blue, Orange, and Gold lots will be PERMIT ONLY parking. If fans do not have a permit, please park in the official Braves (Grey, Red, Yellow and Silver) lots located west of the Interstate along Central Avenue.

· With large crowds expected, fans heading out to Turner Field on Opening Day are encouraged to pre-purchase parking, arrive early or consider taking Marta.


OPENING DAY SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

1:30 p.m.

Gates open – fans are encouraged to arrive early and enjoy plenty of pre-game entertainment including a performance from Beatles tribute band “The Return.” The Braves Tomahawk Team will greet fans and lead the pre-game Chop Rally, and the Braves Heavy Hitters drumline will keep the beat going with several pre-game performances. Fans of all ages can test their arm strength and bat speed in the Scout’s Alley batting cages, and younger fans will enjoy the Cartoon Network themed play land at Tooner Field, where they can climb in a treehouse, run through a maze, sing karaoke, and play t-ball with Homer.

3:40 p.m. Pregame Ceremonies

o Brian McCann will be presented with his 2009 Silver Slugger Award.

o Both teams will take the field in full-squad introductions.

o Volunteers from Operation Homefront will unfurl a giant American flag in the outfield.

o Multi-platinum, Grammy winning artist Travis Tritt will sing the National Anthem.

o Pilots from Columbus Air Force Base in Mississippi will perform a flyover.

o Ceremonial First Pitch

4:10 p.m. Game Time