Fenway Fest Provides ‘Unforgettable’ Memories For Red Sox Fans
BOSTON — The Red Sox didn’t exactly reinvent the wheel, but they certainly found something with Fenway Fest.
“Winter Weekend” became a beginning-of-the-year staple for the franchise over the last decade, with MGM Springfield and Foxwoods Resort Casino historically being the chosen venues to welcome in fans. Boston changed things up this year, though, electing to head back home and hold the event at Fenway Park.
*round of applause*
The Sox knocked it out of the park, and had some help doing so.
Fenway Park was a winter wonderland on Saturday, with the light and fluffy stuff slowly coming down throughout the afternoon to create a sensational environment. Craig Pieniazek, a lifelong fan who made the trip from Palmer, Mass., was blown away by the entire ordeal.
“I can’t lie, I thought it was going to be miserable when I saw the forecast,” Pieniazek said. “(The Red Sox) made the weather bearable with the way they set things up, and to be honest, the views are crazy. Fenway Park in the snow is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
Boston has been doing the work to make such an event happen, with recent updates and improvements around the ballpark serving as the catalyst for the change.
MGM Music Hall hosted multiple panels throughout the afternoon, which included newcomer Garrett Crochet, starting pitchers Lucas Giolito and Tanner Houck, first baseman Triston Casas, shortstop Trevor Story, outfielder Wilyer Abreu and manager Alex Cora. Netflix also offered a sneak preview of its upcoming project “The Clubhouse: A Year with the Red Sox,” which included hilarious insight into the inner workings of the documentary.
Red Sox fans were perhaps the biggest winners, though. Ginny Sailor, a fan from down the road in Dartmouth, Mass., certainly thinks she was one of them.
“It’s an unforgettable experience,” Sailor said. “I didn’t ever think I’d be able to walk around and see what it’s like in (the clubhouse). I can die happy.”
The Red Sox are going to have to go and back up all this goodwill on the field, but they didn’t do half bad for a random Saturday in January.
“I’m critical, but credit where it’s due,” Pieniazek said. “Sox nailed this thing.”