TwinsFest Returns in January for First Time Since 2020

[Melissa Berman]

Twins fans dreaming of baseball during the dark and cold winter will not have to wait until Opening Day to get back to Target Field. On Thursday, the Twins announced the return of the “better than ever” TwinsFest, a two-day event taking place January 27-28 at Target Field and nearby Minneapolis venues. It might look a little different than what some fans are accustomed to. In 2023, TwinsFest features a new, live event on Friday and only one day of the team's standard convention event on Saturday.

Image courtesy of Melissa Berman

 

TwinsFest, the team’s annual fan convention, was canceled in 2021 and 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Twins Territory back to Minneapolis for our first in-person TwinsFest in three years, while introducing some fresh elements to bring our fans even closer to their favorite Twins players and personalities in new and exciting ways,” said Twins President & CEO Dave St. Peter.

Friday, January 27, features a new event called TwinsFest Live!, which the team deems an “exclusive, intimate, and entertainment-filled evening with Twins players, coaches, alumni and broadcasters” located at The Fillmore, a concert venue adjacent to Target Field. A “limited availability” of tickets will be sold in General Admission, All-Star, and MVP packages, each level with increasing benefits and access. Tickets for the General Admission level start at $35 and the All Star and MVP Packages cost $149 and $279, respectively, and go on sale December 8. All proceeds benefit the Minnesota Twins Community Fund.

“Signature Saturday” is TwinFest's standard convention event and takes place on January 28 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Target Field. It will feature the return of autograph stations with current and former Twins players, coaches, alumni and broadcasters; interactive games; memorabilia displays; and a merchandise “Yard Sale.” Adult admission tickets are $20 and tickets for children 12 and under are $10. The Twins will also be hosting a youth Futures Clinic at Urban Ventures. 

As recently as 2020, autographs were available at TwinsFest both Friday and Saturday nights at its traditional convention format. TwinsFest Live! is designated as a non-autograph event, per its website. 

TwinsFest began in 1989 and, at its peak, drew almost 35,000 fans to the Metrodome. Because Target Field is an outdoor stadium and TwinsFest takes place in the middle of the frigid Minnesota winter, the Twins utilize the stadium’s indoor areas, like their club level, for the fest, so since then, attendance has been about half of the amount of its Metrodome heyday. Twinsfest pared down from three days, Friday-Sunday, to two in 2020.

My take
While I am glad that TwinsFest is returning this year (looking at you, White Sox) and it signals one more step towards perceived normalcy, I do not entirely blame fans who might find themselves a bit disappointed in looking at the weekend’s events, which in reality, are only two days (and only one day of the traditional, revered convention). While I’m sure those in attendance of TwinsFest Live! will find the event unique and enjoyable, the high price point and limited quantity of tickets will likely make it out of reach for many. Plus, with its 7 p.m.- 10 p.m. timeframe, talk of a "cash bar," and lack of seating for General Admission tickets, it does not seem geared toward families. 

Regarding Signature Saturday, growing up, some of my fondest memories and formative experiences as a Twins fan were at TwinsFest. My older sister was so Twins-crazy as a teenager that she recalls going all three days. While all the other experiences at the festival are great, the most coveted of all is the player autographs and photo opportunities. In my family’s living room, we have a framed photograph of our entire family with Harmon Killebrew at TwinsFest. (Yes, he was every bit as kind, classy, and friendly as everyone says; my mom still talks about that meeting to this day). I remember my family also having a long, probably 10-minunte conversation with former Cleveland pitcher Bob Feller. With only one 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. day of the actual convention (and very limited hours at that- it seems it should go until at least 8 p.m.) it is not hard to imagine that lines for players might be long and overwhelming and that when fans do meet the players and coaches, it will have to be brief. 

Some on social media were less than impressed with the number of current players listed on TwinsFest's bill and noted it is less than in past years like 2020, but the TwinsFest page states to “check back often for updates" on players, so it seems too early to judge (Correa TwinsFest appearance post-contract, anyone?) Regardless, I am happy that TwinsFest is back for 2023 and especially hope that the team’s littlest fans have as fun of an experience as I did, but I worry just how family-friendly the event is becoming. 

--

Do you think you'll attend TwinsFest in 2023? What do you think of the two-day schedule and revamped events? Let us know in a comment below, 

 

View full article

[LewFordLives]

Used to love TwinsFest at the dome. Everything going on in the same space. If you wanted to sit down for a few minutes you could sit at the radio stage. They will never be able to replicate that kind of experience at Target Field. They should have it at US Bank stadium.

[CRF]

What they should do, is have it at the Minneapolis Convention Center. It would be the perfect place for Twins Fest.

[wsnydes]

2 hours ago, LewFordLives said:

Used to love TwinsFest at the dome. Everything going on in the same space. If you wanted to sit down for a few minutes you could sit at the radio stage. They will never be able to replicate that kind of experience at Target Field. They should have it at US Bank stadium.

 

1 hour ago, CRF said:

What they should do, is have it at the Minneapolis Convention Center. It would be the perfect place for Twins Fest.

Both options would be great for TwinsFest, but they'd have to actually pay for those venues!

[Squirrel]

Who cares about TwinsFest? What I want to know is ... will there be a MeltDown this year??? ? I need a new pint glass! @John Bonnes, well?

[nclahammer]

It's like a countdown, 3...2...1...hopefully it doesn't hit zero when it comes to actual days of being able to get autographs of your favorite Twins.   As a season ticket holder, I enoyed the perk of being able to get a pair of free tickets to TwinFest when it was mutliple days, but I fear those days are over too.   I'm disappointed.

 

[BobAzar]

Honestly, I feel like they stole the Winter Meltdown concept to make the friday night event. I know Twins Daily didnt invent or own to idea of live events with guests and drinks etc, but, it seems like they saw the success and wanted in. Im glad TD never charged $200 some bucks for the event. 

[Theroy1199]

From my understanding we had the single best “Fest” in all of baseball and they took it away by making it one day. your going to have people waiting for a player that used to be there two different days now in a line that may not start until 2 in the afternoon not to mention the other lines that will form for events that start before that. i really hope with all those revamping that they figured out how to revamp the lines. they really are making this hard for the average family to enjoy and have their kids find the love for baseball. 

[wsnydes]

22 minutes ago, Theroy1199 said:

From my understanding we had the single best “Fest” in all of baseball and they took it away by making it one day. your going to have people waiting for a player that used to be there two different days now in a line that may not start until 2 in the afternoon not to mention the other lines that will form for events that start before that. i really hope with all those revamping that they figured out how to revamp the lines. they really are making this hard for the average family to enjoy and have their kids find the love for baseball. 

Welcome to TD!

[Melissa Berman]

13 hours ago, Squirrel said:

Who cares about TwinsFest? What I want to know is ... will there be a MeltDown this year??? ? I need a new pint glass! @John Bonnes, well?

This is where my mind is at too!! ? I'm not in on those talks, so stay tuned!!!

[Melissa Berman]

47 minutes ago, Theroy1199 said:

From my understanding we had the single best “Fest” in all of baseball and they took it away by making it one day. your going to have people waiting for a player that used to be there two different days now in a line that may not start until 2 in the afternoon not to mention the other lines that will form for events that start before that. i really hope with all those revamping that they figured out how to revamp the lines. they really are making this hard for the average family to enjoy and have their kids find the love for baseball. 

I agree. The actual festival/ convention format is what people really care about. I don't see a reason for having to cram it into one 9-5pm day (very limited hours- it seems like it could go until like 8 p.m. at least)

[jrod23]

Happy & grateful it's back.  I'm glad it's not a victim of the pandemic.  On the flip, the fan as top priority has diminished significantly since the days of the Dome.  Now it's just being shoved further under the carpet.