A fantastic FanFest

This year's Orioles FanFest is in the books, and the event appeared to be an overwhelming success. Lines stretched around the block as fans eagerly awaited entrance to 2010 FanFest, and the Convention Center and its surrounding streets were flooded with Oriole orange and black. The sprawling first floor of the Convention Center held everything from Orioles Bingo to Fan Forums, ticket counters, giveaway booths, baseball clinics, memorabilia sales, and autograph stages. As Roch and Steve spent the morning checking in with front office officials and players (past, present, and future), I mingled amongst the crowds, snapping photos of the tremendous display of support for the Birds from their fans. All day players bounced between fan forums and autograph sessions, spending a rare winter day with the fans who cheer them through the summers. Among the abundance of booths, fans flocked to the MASN set-up for the popular Orioles-themed Family Feud game hosted by the network's own Amber Theoharis. And Roch brought the same wit to the media fan forum that he brings to his School of Roch blog every day. Finally, as the afternoon ticked by, I chatted with a few Orioles officials prior to my own participation in the "Blogging the Birds" fan forum, which capped the events on the big stage on the first floor. One O's official noted that attendance reached 12,000 throughout the day - an enormous display of support from fans of the Orioles! If you missed the festivities (or you're already dying to relive the ultimate O's afternoon), check out this 2010 Orioles FanFest photo gallery, courtesy of the Orioles Buzz, along with the promise of more to come.