St. Louis offers number of events tied to All-Star Game

Baseball events extend far beyond All-Star Game

Major League Baseball and St. Louis organizers are working on plenty of events to be enjoyed by those who don’t have tickets to Tuesday’s All-Star Game. Here are a few highlights:

— Major League Baseball’s five-day FanFest begins Friday at the America’s Center convention center. A sprawling playland has been created where visitors can check out famous memorabilia and trophies. There are interactive exhibits where they can try their hand at pitching, batting or running bases, and photo displays where they can create their own baseball card or pose with cutouts of the entire Cardinals team.

Dozens of players will also make appearances to sign autographs and offer clinics.

Tickets are still available, especially on Saturday and Sunday. About 85,000 have already been sold.

— A benefit concert featuring Sheryl Crow and Elvis Costello will be held on Saturday night under the Gateway Arch. Tickets aren’t required.

— There should be chances to spot favorite big-name stars. There’s an All-Star Charity 5K Run and 1-mile walk on Sunday, and a celebrity softball game at the stadium. The All-Star Red Carpet Parade is Tuesday.

— The Anheuser-Busch Clydesdales will show up in an area known as the Sponsor Zone by the stadium and also at a “Clydesdale hamlet” by the stadium’s southwest corner. On Monday and Tuesday a full hitch of horses will make old-fashioned beer deliveries to some bars and restaurants downtown.

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All Star-Game: mlb.com/mlb/events/all(underscore)star/y2009/