masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgThe Orioles invite fans to celebrate the start of Spring Training at Sarasota SpringFest, a free, family-friendly event for fans of all ages on Saturday, February 20, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Ed Smith Stadium. Fans will have an opportunity to watch Orioles players practice on the back fields and enjoy games and interactive activities in the East Parking Lot, located next to the Left Field Ticket office. In addition to watching the Orioles prepare for the upcoming season, SpringFest will…

The Orioles invite fans to celebrate the start of Spring Training at Sarasota SpringFest, a free, family-friendly event for fans of all ages on Saturday, February 20, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Ed Smith Stadium. Fans will have an opportunity to watch Orioles players practice on the back fields and enjoy games and interactive activities in the East Parking Lot, located next to the Left Field Ticket office.

In addition to watching the Orioles prepare for the upcoming season, SpringFest will include a wide range of activities. Fans will be able to participate in interactive games including corn hole, giant Jenga, and two speed pitch machines; visit the photo booth provided by TapSnap for a free photo featuring a custom Ed Smith Stadium background; and enjoy music, contests, and games with Z105 Suncoast Classic Rock.

At 12:30 p.m., Head Groundskeeper-Florida Operations Dan Thomas will field questions from fans and provide tips on how to best maintain a lawn. Thomas and his team recently accepted the Sports Turf Managers Association’s national “Field of the Year Award” on behalf of Ed Smith Stadium and the Orioles.

A variety of food trucks will be provided by Tampa Bay Food Truck Rally including:

* Ain’t No Thang, showcasing an assortment of chicken wings
* Americanwiener, featuring a number of different hot dogs
* DaVinci’s, serving Italian desserts, pastries, and coffee
* Jimmy’s Famous Seafood Express, offering their award-winning crab cakes inspired by Baltimore’s popular seafood restaurant

The Orioles will play their first of 16 home Spring Training games in 2016 at Ed Smith Stadium on Wednesday, March 2, at 1:05 p.m. against the Atlanta Braves. Spring Training game tickets, as well as Orioles merchandise, will be available for purchase during SpringFest. Additionally, free parking will be available in the East Lot, which is located at the corner of 12th Street and Tuttle Avenue.

SpringFest is part of Sarasota 365, a host of initiatives through which the Baltimore Orioles and OriolesREACH demonstrate the ballclub’s year-round engagement with the Greater Sarasota community. Whether hosting youth activities, participating in charitable causes, or partnering in efforts to boost the local economy, the Orioles are active in the region all year long, proving that their commitment to the club’s southern home goes far beyond baseball. For more information on Sarasota SpringFest, visit www.orioles.com/springfest.