Nationals Announce 2011 NatsFest Schedule

With Opening Day nearly a week away, the Washington Nationals today announced the official schedule of events for the 2011 NatsFest, set to take place on Wednesday, March 30 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm. For the first time in team history, the Nats will hold their annual fan appreciation festival the day before Opening Day. The third annual NatsFest will feature activities for fans of all ages and offer unprecedented access to Nationals players, prospects, coaches and executives. Future Nationals scheduled to participate include Stephen Strasburg, Bryce Harper, Derek Norris, Chien-Ming Wang and Cole Kimball*. For a complete list of events, please see below. Prior to gates opening to the general public at 4:00pm, Nationals season ticket holders will have exclusive access to a Q&A session featuring Nationals players, coaches and executives beginning at 3:30pm. Season ticket holders must bring their NatsFest tickets (located in their season ticket book) to gain early entry into Nationals Park starting at 3:00pm. In addition, season ticket holders can participate in a special photo session with select players at 6:45pm. The first 5,000 fans will receive a free curly "W" slingbag. Tickets for this year's NatsFest are now available and cost $10 for adults and $5 for children under the age of 12, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Washington Nationals Dream Foundation. Tickets may be purchased online at nationals.com/natsfest or by visiting the Nationals Park Main Box Office (Half and N Streets, SE). Concessions will be available for purchase and limited free parking will be offered in Nationals Park Garages B and C. Opening Day tickets for March 31 are moving fast, but a limited number of seats are still available to see the Nats take on their NL East rival the Atlanta Braves. Fans who can't make it to the season opener can celebrate baseball's return to Washington by purchasing tickets to the two remaining games in the Braves series the first weekend in April. A trip to Nationals Park on Saturday, April 2 at 1:05pm and Sunday, April 3 at 1:35pm are the perfect way to welcome springtime to Washington, so visit nationals.com/tickets to purchase tickets for these and future games.