Orioles to Kick Off Spring Training With Sarasota SpringFest

The Baltimore Orioles are heralding the beginning of spring training with the Sarasota SpringFest, a free family-friendly event for fans of all ages at Ed Smith Stadium on Saturday, February 18.

Along with watching players practice on the back fields, fans can also enjoy games and interactive activities in the East Parking Lot, located next to the Left Field Ticket office, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

The second annual Sarasota SpringFest event will feature a Question & Answer session with Orioles catcher Caleb Joseph at approximately noon, as well as a variety of games and interactive activities including corn hole, giant Jenga, and a speed pitch machine. Fans can also visit the photo booth provided by TapSnap for a free photo featuring a custom Ed Smith Stadium background, and the booths of local partners Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Sarasota County Parks and Recreation, Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Sarasota Orchestra, and the Suncoast Blood Bank. Z105 Suncoast Classic Rock will be on hand to provide music, contests, and games.

Tampa Bay Food Truck Rally will offer a variety of food truck options available for purchase including:

• Merica, serving gourmet burgers, award-winning gourmet hot dogs, and hand cut fries
• Vanchetta, serving Porchetta (slow-roasted Italian pork) and other fresh roasted items cooked on their rolling rotisserie
• Dochos Latin Bistro, offering their award-winning Cubans as well as other Latin-inspired menu selections
• Jimmy’s Famous Seafood, offering their award-winning crab cakes inspired by Baltimore’s popular seafood restaurant

Fans are also invited to watch Orioles workouts on the back fields at the complex each day from February 14 through February 23 from approximately 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., leading up to the first Spring Training game against the Detroit Tigers in Lakeland, Fla. on Friday, February 24. The first full squad workout will be held on Friday, February 17. There is no charge to attend, and free parking is available in the East Lot off of 12th Street and Tuttle Avenue.