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BRADENTON – The Pittsburgh Pirates will host the ninth annual Pirate Fest on Saturday, March 22. The event will be located on 9th Street West, just outside the main gate at McKechnie Field. The festival, which is presented by ABC 7, runs from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The Pirates will face the Philadelphia Phillies at 1:05 p.m. at McKechnie Field.
Several local businesses and community organizations will be represented at the family-centered event. There will be an abundance of activities to delight fans of all ages. Among the scheduled activities are giveaways, face painting, inflatable games, a DJ, and mascot fun with Marty the Marauder.
The Xbox One Truck will be parked in front of the ticket office to let fans try out new Xbox games such as FIFA 14, Plants vs. Zombies, and Lego Marvel Super Heroes. Participants can have their photo taken to create a free commemorative postcard. Autograph sessions with select Pirates players will be featured throughout the morning.
The Pirates will support the Mayors’ Feed the Hungry program by accepting donations of non-perishable goods outside the main gates. Fans that donate five or more items will receive $2 off per game ticket purchased and be entered into a raffle to win great prizes.
On the day of the event, 9th Street West will be closed to northbound traffic at 17th Avenue and closed to southbound traffic at 13th Avenue starting at 8:00 a.m. Fans wishing to park in the Outfield Parking Lot north of McKechnie Field will be permitted to access the lot by traveling southbound. The 6th Street Parking Lot and the Wastewater Treatment Lot will be unaffected by Pirate Fest and are both accessible from 17th Avenue.
Pirate Fest is free and open to the public. After Pirate Fest the Pirates take on the Philadelphia Phillies. Single game tickets are available by visiting the McKechnie Field box office, calling 1-877-893-2827, or by visiting www.Pirates.com.
The Pirates will also play the only Spring Training night game at McKechnie Field on Thursday, March 20 at 7:05 p.m. against the Baltimore Orioles. For each ticket purchased to the game, the Pirates will donate $3 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County. There will be complimentary issues of Baseball America given away at the gate while supplies last. The Xbox One Truck will also be on-site pregame