Red Sox Features On wbztv.com
Apr 7, 2008 11:52 am US/Eastern
Ceremony, New Food, Fan Contest For Fenway Opener
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
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The famous "Coke Bottles" came down off the light towers at Fenway Park and were replaced by a new "Coca Cola Corner" section.
Boston Red Sox/WBZ
After a 16,000 mile, three nation season-opening stint, the Boston Red Sox will open the season in front of their hometown fans on Tuesday. The pre-game ceremony will honor the Sox 2007 World Championship team, complete with the presentation of World Series rings and a performance by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
The gates to Fenway Park will open earlier than normal for fans - a full two-and-a-half hours before game time. That means fans going to the 2:05 p.m. game can enter the ballpark as early as 11:35 a.m. The Red Sox are urging all fans to take their seats by 1 p.m. for the pre-game ceremonies.
The Red Sox say that "several hundred tickets" will be sold game day at Gate E, beginning at noon.
Fenway Food Fenway Park fans are hungry fans. Aramark, the ballpark's official vendor, estimates that fans will consumer on Opening Day:
- 20,600 Hot Dogs
- 5,800 Bags of Peanuts
- 4,800 Sausage and Pepper Sandwiches
- 3,500 Slices of Pizza
- 3,000 Pounds of French Fries
- 2,900 Soft Pretzels
- 1,700 Bags of Cracker Jack
- 1,500 Bags of Popcorn
- 1,300 Hamburgers
- 1,000 Orders of Chicken Tenders
- 800 Bags of Cotton Candy
- 500 Orders of Nachos
- 300 Gallons of Ice Cream
- 7,200 Bottles of Water
- 1,100 Gallons of Soda
Among the new selections fans will find at Fenway's food stands, fish and chips, knishes, kosher hot dogs, Buffalo chicken sandwiches, fruit cups, garlic fries, shaker salads, hot pasta dishes and gourmet popcorn.
Pre-Game Ceremonies Tuesday's pre-game ceremonies will start with a parade of flags from 62 nations. According to the Red Sox these nations, "either count Red Sox Nation members as its residents or have citizens who have been in touch with the Red Sox Front Offices via letters and emails professing their love for the 'Olde' Towne Team'."
Members of the 2007 Red Sox Championship team will receive their World Series rings, championship banners will be unfurled on the Green Monster, and the 2007 World Series pennant will be hoisted on the centerfield flag pole.
The BSO will perform the National Anthem.
Fan Talent Contest
A new fan contest will also launch Tuesday, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of "Take Me Out To The Ballgame." Fans attending games between April 9 and May 4 can audition - performing their own version of the ballpark classic. Red Sox Nation will pick the finalists through online voting on RedSox.com. The finalists will be judged by a celebrity panel, with the winner performing Take Me Out To The Ballgame during the 7th Inning Stretch of a Red Sox home game later this season.
Fans who want to audition must have tickets, and should head to the Lower Concourse by Grandstand 6 in Right Field. Auditions will be conducted from the time the gates open, through the end of the 4th inning.
Getting There As always, the Red Sox are encouraging fans to take the T to the game. Fenway is accessible from the Green Line (B,C, and D trains) at Kenmore Station, or by the Ruggles Shuttle bus from the Ruggles Station on the Orange Line.
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Red Sox Opening Day Roster
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