2024 Marlins FanFest guide

[Kevin Barral]

How to make the most out of your FanFest experience this Friday.

Less than 48 hours away from another edition of Marlins FanFest, we take fans through some tips on what they should do (and shouldn’t do) this year at FanFest, which will take place on Friday, January 26 from 4-10 p.m. at loanDepot park.

As always, you can claim tickets for free here (up to six free tickets per person). Tickets will be delivered to your Ballpark app account, so make sure you can see them there. A personal suggestion for my fellow iPhone users would be to add them to your wallet to ensure that you can quickly scan your ticket and go inside to keep the line moving as fast as possible.

FanFest traditionally takes place on a Saturday. Because of the unique weekday scheduling this year, traffic will be an unavoidable issue. Beginning at 4:00 p.m., that is when cars begin to pile up in the ballpark area and it'll be at its worst around 6:00 p.m. Arrive early if you can.

Parking is complimentary for this event, so you will be able to park for free in any of the four garages.

Who will be there?

Although we are still several weeks away from pitchers and catchers reporting to Jupiter for Spring Training, the expectation is that most of the Marlins 40-man roster will come to town early to attend FanFest. That includes recent 40-man selections like Victor Mesa Jr. and Anthony Maldonado along with offseason acquisitions.

The two main acquisitions so far, Vidal Bruján and Christian Bethancourt, are actually still playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic and Panamá, respectively, so it's unclear if they will be there. However, this is also the first-ever FanFest for 2023 trade deadline pick-ups like Jake Burger and Josh Bell.

Player interaction

Like last year, players will be roaming around the entirety of the ballpark, including the West Plaza. Fans will have the opportunity to talk to the players and take pictures with them. In the Biscayne Brewery, which is located around sections 11-13, there will be Interviews in Spanish interviews throughout the entirety of FanFest. On the main stage, which is usually behind home plate, there will be other interviews live.

"State of the Fish"

At 5:00 p.m, just one hour after the beginning of FanFest, Marlins Members will have the opportunity to sit down with president of baseball operations Peter Bendix and manager Skip Schumaker to ask them questions about the team and baseball in general. This should take place on the main stage, which is behind home plate around sections 14-16. Highly encourage any Marlins Members to attend and ask questions to Bendix and Schumaker.

Activities for fans

 

Along with player interaction, there is more than enough for fans to do at FanFest. Similar to last year, there will be the arcade trailer on the West Plaza, pitching in the bullpen, taking batting practice, taking pictures with the 1997 and 2003 trophies and the virtual home run derby.

What will be new this time around is the Marlins Museum, which made its debut last season and has been a hit thus far. Also, you'll find new mascots Bobby, Charlie and Pepito, who competed in the Marlins Rooster Race during every home game beginning in August.

With the event taking place in the late afternoon, expect the roof to be open and at the end of FanFest, there will be a fireworks show which the Marlins have done well with when they have done them.

Drinks

 

Fans 21 and older can get an early taste of one of the Marlins biggest promotions in Beerfest, which will take place from 6:00-8:00 p.m. For $25, you can taste 20 domestic, international and local craft brews.

Swing For Your Seats (Marlins Members Only)

 

This annual promotion has been around for a long time, but is now being integrated with FanFest itself. Marlins Members will be able to step up to the plate and have the opportunity to take one swing. If you hit a home run, the Marlins will cover up to $10,000 of your committed 2024 Membership purchase.

Make sure you bring someone with a little bit of pop, because you can have a great 2024 season with one good swing of the bat.

Fill out the waiver!

To ensure that you can participate in all events on Friday, make sure to fill out this waiver in advance. If you are under 18 years old, a parent will have to fill it out for you.

Fish On First special contest

Last year, when we were covering as Fish Stripes, we did a mini edition of Marlins Jeopardy with fans. That was just for fun.

This year, with la Serie del Caribe (aka the Caribbean Series) coming to loanDepot park next week, we have decided to give away three pairs of game tickets to lucky fans who can answer the three questions we have for you. Be on the lookout for myself, Isaac Azout and the rest of the Fish On First staff to play.

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