Although there has been no official confirmation from the Dodgers yet, ThinkBlueLA has learned from a reliable source that FanFest 2018 will be held on Saturday, January 27, 2018 at Dodger Stadium. The event will mark the official kick-off of the Dodgers 2018 preseason.

Because complete details of FanFest 2018 have not yet been released and probably will not be until the second or third week of January, it is unknown which Dodgers players will be attending or what the schedule of events will be. That said and although there will undoubtedly be some changes from past FanFest events, one has to believe that it will follow a similar format of past FanFest events, which were overwhelmingly successful.

Highlights of those past FanFest events included behind-the-scene one-on-one interviews of players, coaches and other Dodgers personnel by SportsNetLA’s Alanna Rizzo, and live on-stage interviews by other SNLA personalities, as well as AM 570 LA Sports DodgerTalk radio host David Vassegh.

The on-stage interviews always get the FanFest crowd fired up, such as this one during last year’s event of 2016 National League Rookie of the Year Corey Seager by SportsNet LA’s John Hartung.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

But without question, the most popular activity at the annual FanFest events are the autograph sessions with current and former Dodgers players. If the Dodgers hold true to form from past FanFest events, they will more than likely once again pre-sell tickets for each specific player several weeks in advance of the January 27 event. All proceeds from FanFest benefit the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation in support of their many community programs, such as the just-concluded Children’s Holiday Party held this past Thursday at Dodger Stadium.

One of the first autograph sessions to sell out every year is that of Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig. Go figure.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

Another popular but perhaps lesser-known attraction at the annual FanFest event is the ‘Mystery Grab Bag’ booth where fans pay a nominal fee, reach into a bin and pull out a sealed grab bag containing a baseball signed by a current or former Dodgers player … or better.

If you are wondering why I am such a huge fan of the ‘Mystery Grab Bag’ booth at FanFest, this is why – although there are certainly no guarantees that you will do as well as I did. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

ThinkBlueLA will provide additional information on FanFest 2018 as it becomes available.

Go Dodgers!