CINCINNATI — It's finally that time of the year: baseball season.
In Cincinnati, it's a whole affair for its opening day with a parade, a grand marshal, pre-game ceremonies and more.
The Reds will take on the San Francisco Giants with first pitch at 4:10 p.m. on Thursday, before before the ballis thrown, there are a slew of events leading up to the game.
Here's what to expect for Thursday in downtown Cincinnati:
The parade will kick off at noon, and Reds Hall of Famer Chris Sabo will be this year's grand marshal. Sabo is one of the most accomplished third basement in Reds history. He was an All-Star in 1988, was one of only seven players in club history to win Rookie of the Year award and led the Reds in home runs, doubles and runs during the 1990 champsionship season.
The honorary grand marshal is NASCAR icon Michael Waltrip.
The gates to Great American Ball Park will open at 2:10 p.m. with pregame ceremonies following shortly after at 3:30 p.m.
The ceremonies will include Reds manager Terry Francona and Giants manager Bob Melvin receiving Opening Day plaques from representatives frm the Rosie Reds organization.
Then, Mariana VanHoose, a Denver, Ky. native, will perform the national anthem along with a pre-game flyover from the KC-135 Stratotankers from the 121st Air Refueling Wing of the Ohio Air National Guard.
There will also be a remembrance for Reds Hall of Famers Joey Jay and Pete Rose. Jay passed away in October 2024 and Rose died in September 2024.
Sabo will then deliver the first pitch to kickoff the season.
