The Gary SouthShore RailCats, Northwest Indiana’s premier professional sports franchise, will host the first-ever RailCats Fan Fest, Saturday, February 21 at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza, the team announced today.

With a seven-year Tradition of Excellence on and off the field, the RailCats are inviting fans to the Radisson to help celebrate the team’s history, interact with players, coaches and staff, and set the stage for the 2009 season with their unique brand of Fun, Affordable Family Entertainment.  Tickets are just $15 when purchased in advance and only $5 for kids 12 and under.  At the door, general admission tickets are $20.  Season ticket holders can buy discounted Fan Fest tickets at any time for only $10. 

The Fan Fest is scheduled to run from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday, and convention activities will include baseball clinics, autograph and photo sessions, a question and answer period, ballpark games and more, all hosted by current and former RailCats players and coaches, and, of course, the RailCats’ mascots Rusty and Rascal.  The first 500 people at the Fan Fest will also receive a free commemorative t-shirt, and all fans in attendance will get a voucher for a free ticket to Opening Day, Monday, May 18 at U. S. Steel Yard.  A full lineup of participants and activities will be announced in early 2009.

Special Fan Fest rates at the Radisson Hotel are available for any interested fans for Friday (Feb. 20) and Saturday (Feb. 21).  To book a room today, contact the Radisson Hotel at (800) 333-3333 and ask for a spot in the RailCats Fan Fest block.

The Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza is located at the intersection of I-65 and US-30 in Merrillville and is adjacent to the Star Plaza Theatre, the Region’s foremost indoor entertainment venue.

The RailCats begin their seventh season at beautiful U. S. Steel Yard Monday, May 18 at 7 p.m. against the Joliet JackHammers.  Season tickets, group packages, mini-plans and flex tickets for 2009 are available now by visiting www.railcatsbaseball.com, calling the RailCats at (219) 882-BALL or by visiting the SouthShore Depot II Store at Westfield Southlake on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays this holiday season.