CINCINNATI — It's a day Cincinnati Reds fans thought might never arrive: Opening Day 2022 at Great American Ball Park is finally here — and so is the parade!
PARADE
The fun started Tuesday with the annual Reds Community Fund Charity Block Party at 11 a.m. on Joe Nuxhall Way, Freedom Way and Walnut Street. Fans listened to live music, grabbed food and drinks and enjoyed the opening day atmosphere before the parade at noon.
Tuesday marks the first Findlay Market Opening Day Parade in three years after the pandemic threw a wrench in opening day plans in 2020 and 2021. WCPO's Craig McKee, Tanya O'Rourke and former sports anchor John Popovich hosted live coverage of the event. Watch it now here:
Hall of Famer Barry Larkin served as the parade's grand marshal. More than 130 organizations participated, including Kroger, Graeters, Chick-fil-A and the Cincinnati-Kharkiv Sister City Program.
Marty Brennaman, the longtime voice of the Cincinnati Reds, made an appearance with the Kid Glove Program. Hall of Famer Anthony Muñoz and other Bengals greats were featured, as well as local Olympians like Nick Goepper, Mary Wineburg and George Wilson. Check out the full list here.
GAME
Fans heading to GABP will want to make sure they're in their seats for the pre-game festivities. Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is scheduled to throw the ceremonial first pitch to head coach Zac Taylor, while Ja'Marr Chase — the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year — will present the NL Rookie of the Year Award to Reds second baseman Jonathan India.
According to the team's website, tickets are sold out through the Reds. However, tickets are available on StubHub.
While a fire sale in the offseason concerned fans, the Reds split its four-game series with the reigning World Series champs. Team President Phil Castellini called for fans to trust the front office, saying he believes the team will be entertaining this season.
"I think if you watched any spring training games, this is a good, entertaining team and I think you'll see that play out on Opening Day and throughout the season," Castellini said. "So have a little bit of faith in what we're doing with your Cincinnati Reds."
This is only the second time in team history the Reds started their season on the road. The last time that happened? 1990, the last time the Reds won the World Series.
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