Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Tens of thousands of visitors have been flowing into the David L. Lawrence Convention Center to sample the sights and sounds of the All-Star FanFest since it opened Friday. Although it costs $15 or $20 to get in, there's plenty to do once inside, at no charge.
This video may also be downloaded in Quicktime format at two broadband sizes, medium and large.
Off in one corner, next to the kid play area on the second floor of the convention center, smiling Nestle employees are distributing free Baby Ruth bars (the official candy bar of Major League Baseball). And they're encouraging the musically inclined (or challenged) to record a free karaoke CD of themselves singing the baseball classic, "Take Me Out to the Ball Game."
This video documents some of their efforts.
A fair number of fans recalled attending the FanFest experience connected to the 1994 All-Star Game in Pittsburgh, and described this one as much bigger and better-organized, plus able to take advantage of technological advances.
FanFest is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., except Tuesday, when it closes at 7 p.m. Ticket purchasers must select an admission time so the attractions will not be overcrowded at any one time, but once inside visitors can stay until closing.
Tickets may be obtained at www.pirates.com, www.mlb.com at the PNC Park box office, or by calling 1-888-326-3378. Prices range from $15 for children 12 and under, senior citizens and military personnel to $20 for all other adults.
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First Published: July 8, 2006, 4:00 a.m.
