All Star Mania opens today in Downtown KC

Downtown Kansas City is buzzing today, as Major League Baseball’s All Star Game festivities begin a five-day run at Bartle Hall. Doors opened at 9 a.m. today with more than 100 people waiting to get in.

Today’s Fan Fest activities, which run until 8 p.m., feature the opening ceremonies, the first of three mascot Home Run Derbies and clinics with Royals legends Dennis Leonard and Willie Aikens. Today is also the first of five themed days at FanFest: Military Appreciation Day.  For more information on the Fan Fest, check out www.visitkc.com/allstar

While the Fan Fest is expected to draw more than 120,000 people over the five it is just one of many local All Star events happening today and tonight. Downtown is not only home base for All Star fan activities, but also to the hottest arts, music and dining scene in the region.

Here is what’s on tap in greater Downtown for today:

  • FanatiKCs Trolley — free trolley rides from Bartle Hall to 8 Downtown  locations(8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.)
  • Amateurs to All Stars exhibit @ Central Library (9 a.m.-5 p.m.)
  • Crossroads Block Party with live local bands @ 19th & Baltimore (4-11 p.m.)
  • Discover dining and live music at 17th & Summit venues @ Westside
  • First Friday art experience @ the Crossroads Arts District (6-10 p.m.)
  • Free Friday Night Flick: Moneyball @ Crown Center (9 p.m.)
  • Free Grand Slam Fan Jam with The Zeros and Quixotic @ Barney Allis Plaza (6-10 p.m.)
  • KC All Stars Blue Band, featuring Everette DeVan @ Blue Room (5 p.m.-1 a.m.)
  • Locally Thrown free concert @ Grinders (7 p.m.)
  • New Century Follies @ Folly Theater (9 p.m.)
  • They Were All Stars exhibit @ Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (9 a.m.-6 p.m.)
  • World War I All Stars @ WWI Museum (10 a.m.-5 p.m.)
  • Young the Giant: Friday Night Live Concert @ Power & Light (8 p.m.)

We look forward to seeing you in Downtown KC tonight. And, be sure to like us at Facebook.com/DowntownKansasCity.

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