What you need to know about 2017 Royals FanFest

The Royals will hold their annual FanFest on this weekend, on January 27-28 at Bartle Hall in downtown Kansas City. It will undoubtedly be a more somber affair, but perhaps it comes at just the right time as the fans and Royals organization can come together to offer condolences and remember the life of Yordano Ventura. The team has announced FanFest will include tributes to Yordano Ventura with a memorial set up for him and a signature wall and a moment of silence to start both days.

The event kicks off Friday afternoon at 2 p.m. for the public (noon for exclusive season ticket holders) and runs until 9 p.m. that evening, then resumes Saturday at 11 a.m. (9 a.m. for season ticket holders) until 7 p.m. A one-day pass is $17 for adults and $11 for kids aged 6-17, or you can purchase a two-day pass for $23 for adults and $15 for kids. Children five and under will be admitted for free. You can purchase tickets in advance online or at the door. The FanFest has a timed entry, but once you are in you can stay as long as you like.

Activities include interactive games such as:

• Academy Sports & Outdoors Accuracy Pitch
• H&R Block Little Sluggerrr's Playground*
• KSHB Bunting Challenge
• Price Chopper Steal Home Challenge
• Sprint Speed Pitch
• Teva Batting Cages
• Commerce Bank Slider

The Teva Royals Diamond will host clinics on hitting, fielding, and pitching, as well as a home run derby for kids. There will also be many Royals players, past and present, available for autograph sessions. Among the current players scheduled to appear are Scott Alexander, Billy Burns, Drew Butera, Lorenzo Cain, Christian Colon, Hunter Dozier, Danny Duffy, Alex Gordon, Kelvin Herrera, Eric Hosmer, Nathan Karns, Kevin McCarthy, Whit Merrifield, Alec Mills, Mike Moustakas, Peter O'Brien, Paulo Orlando, Salvador Perez, Matt Strahm, Chris Young, and Kyle Zimmer.

Lines can be very long, so be patient, and remember you can only get one item signed, and no photographs with players are allowed.

The main stage will also host events and games throughout both days with the following schedule:

Friday

1:00 p.m. - STM Special: Royals Feud "This classic game show takes a Royal twist as we add Royals players to lead each team."

2:30 p.m. - Covering Ground with Royals Outfielders "Join Royals Outfielders as they field some questions"

3:30 p.m. - 2016 Season Review with Dayton Moore " General Manager Dayton Moore sits down to talk about the 2016 season, and what to expect in 2017"

4:30 p.m. - New Royals "Come meet your new Royals players!"

5:30 p.m. - Throwing Curves with Royals Pitchers "Instead of bringing the heat, members of the Royals pitching staff take the heat on the main stage"

7:30 p.m. - 2016 Royals Awards "Join us as we celebrate the achievements of the 2016 award winners"

8:30 p.m. - FanFest Giveaway "FanFest co-host Chris Miles brings Day 1 of FanFest to close with a bang"

Saturday

9:30 a.m. - STM Special: Royals Feud "This classic game show takes a Royal twist as we add Royals players to lead each team."

11:40 a.m. - Around the Horn with Royals Infielders "Watch Ryan Lefebvre throw some hot shots to our Royals infielders"

1:30 p.m. - 2016 Moments with Royals Broadcasters "The Royals broadcasting team discusses great moments during the 2016 season"

3:30 p.m. - Throwing Curves with Royals Pitchers "Instead of bringing the heat, members of the Royals pitching staff take the heat on the main stage"

5:00 p.m. - 2016 Season Review with Ned Yost "Join Manager Ned Yost as he sits down to talk about the 2016 season and things to come in 2017"

6:30 p.m. - FanFest Giveaway "FanFest co-host Chris Miles wraps up the 2017 FanFest with a giveaway blowout"

There will also be numerous vendors, memorabilia sales, and ballpark food available. The event is downtown, which has numerous places to park, and is also right on the new Kansas City streetcar route. Here are some pictures from last year’s FanFest and a report from reader Gross(est) on last year’s FanFest.