JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Tuesday finally felt like a normal Opening Day for the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.
After two years of restrictions and even no baseball -- the team has been ready for a full season, beginning with a six-game series against the Worcester Red Sox.
This year is all about the experience, starting with an opening day street festival that runs from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and features a climbing wall, street games and interactive vendor stations.
Plus, DJ Kevin Peffor was on the music — as well as a local high school drumline.
Brett Stark was bringing his son to his first baseball game ever.
“Hoping he gets addicted to it like I was when I was a kid, you know? Looking forward to, like, batting practice on weekends and stuff,” Stark said.
Colin Hardy recently moved back to Jacksonville from South Dakota.
“Amazing,” he said. “It’s something we were looking forward to.”
Everyone we spoke with was eager to watch the game.
“It’s the start of the season, and it’s a good way to kick off things with great tradition and good, high energy, good positivity and nothing but good vibes,” said Jeffrey Collins.