A Final Star Wars Night at Turner Field

I finally made it to Star Wars Night at Turner Filed, an extra-fun Atlanta Braves game. The fun was out of this world, "in a galaxy far, far away"...yet really close! And the fun began as soon as you stepped inside the gate.

Star Wars Night 2016 at Turner Field | Atlanta Braves

As most everyone knows, this is the final season the Atlanta Braves will play in Turner Field. We're not sure "exactly" what's going to happen to the field, but I sincerely hope it finds a new home, avoiding the wrecking ball. I hope the Braves like their new home, but I'm going to miss having them so close to downtown!

Star Wars Night 2016 at Turner Field | Atlanta Braves

I made sure to make it to the field in time to see the on-field Star Wars Parade, which started 45 minutes before game time.

Some of the parade participants were fascinated with the view from the field. The youngster pictured above looks so very much like my great nephew Johnny, also a curious little fellow. 

Star Wars Night 2016 at Turner Field | Atlanta Braves

The field was fully wrapped by time all the participants made it out. There were some excellent costumes and it looked like everyone on the field, including staff and players, were having a great time!

Star Wars Night 2016 at Turner Field | Atlanta Braves

If you're making plans to attend a Braves game that has a parade, do make time to see it...it's great fun! Check the schedule for games that have a parade.

Star Wars Night 2016 at Turner Field | Atlanta Braves

Of all the Star Wars characters, Yoda is my all-time favorite. And he's the one I most often quote, for inspiration: "The is no try. Do or do not." I love the droids, too, but Yoda is wise and tell it how it is. I admire that directness.

Star Wars Night 2016 at Turner Field | Atlanta Braves

As I mentioned, there were some awesome costumes for Star Wars Night! There were characters and cosplayers throughout the stadium and up by the giant drum near the main entrance, but the parade is when you get to see the costumes best.

Star Wars Night 2016 at Turner Field | Atlanta Braves

When I went to "Zombie Night" at Turner Field last year, they had zombiefied everyone on the scoreboard. For Star Wars Night, they used bad guys (Jabba, Boba Fett or Darth Vader) for the opposing team's photos. But there was video of them getting ready to bat, so it was all in fun.

Star Wars Night 2016 at Turner Field | Atlanta Braves

For the Atlanta Braves, they dressed them in good guys costumes! They played a great game, but a few Jedi mind tricks for the win would have been nice.

The next Zombie Night at Turner Field is scheduled for Friday, July 15. I had a great time at last year's, as I did at this year's Star Wars Night. I highly recommend going! Just remember to get there at least an hour early so that you have time for photo ops and to see the on-field parade!

Star Wars Night 2016 at Turner Field | Freddie Freeman | Atlanta Braves

I've been talking about Star Wars and not much about baseball, of which I am truly a fan. There was some excellent playing this game. In fact, we went into overtime with a 5-5 score. 

At the bottom of the 10th, with bases loaded, we thought we'd win the game. But that wasn't the Braves' destiny...not that night anyway. 

The game finished 5-7 at the bottom of of the 12th inning...it was a long game, but a good game!

Star Wars Night 2016 at Turner Field | Atlanta Braves

And as is tradition for Friday night home games, there were fireworks! On this particular evening, however, the fireworks were choreographed to Star Wars music.

The evening was great fun...I'm so glad I finally went to a Star Wars Night at Turner Field and I wish the Atlanta Braves all the best next year at their new home.

Go Braves!

Yes, it's true and I share so with pride...I am an Atlanta Braves fan! And have been since my pro baseball game in 1990.

Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field, Travis S. Taylor

The first game I attended, in 1990, was the year before the Braves started winning pennant after pennant after pennant—and a World Series.

Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field

I was never a sports guy growing up, but the Braves changed that for me. Now I enjoy baseball, soccer, rugby, and play the occasional tennis and golf game.

Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field

There's a lot going on at Turner Field, although this particular night was all about the game...a game the Braves won 9-8.

Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field

Admittedly, I'm not up on the players as well as I once was. I totally remember Javier Lopez and funny enough he moved to the Baltimore Orioles when I lived in Washington, D.C. But, of course I was always a fan of the home team, so when I lived in DC, I supported the Nats...the Washington Nationals, but my love for the Braves never went away.

Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field

I've toured Turner Field—a fantastic tour by the way—and there tons to see. This brilliant Coca-Cola bottle on the Coca-Cola Sky Field is amazing! the label on the bottle is a video screen...that erupts in siren lights when we score or who's-up-next. Glad to see Coca-Cola supporting the Braves!

Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field

It was great to be back at Turner Field...I've missed baseball. So glad to see so many out on a Monday night (this game was Monday, July 29, 2013, playing the Colorado Rockies).

Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field

If you're visiting Atlanta during baseball season, definitely consider a Braves game. And  be sure you explore the Field...there's lots going on! Really...check out the tours!

Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field

The parents of one of the friends I was there with was also there and they had field-side seats. I helped her bring dogs, pretzels, and beer to them, thus a great field view. Granted my own seats were pretty amazing.

Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field

And you gotta love how much fun Turner Field has with the Jumbotron! The fan sightings between innings are brilliant!

Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field

Go Braves! A mantra I'll chant at games for years to come, for sure. Now then, if you find yourself searching for a game to attend and your schedule is pretty open, try to go on a Friday night...they do fireworks after the game!

Been to an Atlanta Braves game lately?

Cover: Let's Go Braves!

I can hardly believe there's less than two months of baseball season remaining...I'm already missing the Atlanta Braves just thinking about it. I just checked the Braves schedule and the last home game is Sunday, September 30 in a challenge against the Mets. That'll be a fully charged game!

Turner Field Stadium Seating

Don't worry...this isn't what the stadium looks like on game day. I actually took this during a behind-the-scenes tour--which was fantastic! Our tour guide was totally engaging and "hit a home run" with all who were on the tour. 

The Turner Field Tours enhance one's experience of the game. Not to the point that you're distracted thinking about what's going on behind the scenes when trying to absorb the game. Rather, by understanding where the players have been and where they're going. It makes Turner Field feel a little more like 'home.'

Also, many of the enjoyment opportunities available to fans you may not learn about for a long time without having gone on a tour...the misters at Coca-Cola Sky Field, for instance. That's something you'll appreciate knowing about on those blistering hot days!

As a matter of fact, the Braves offer visitors 101 Things to Do while at Turner Field.

Get you tickets to a Braves game and enjoy the above pre-sized Facebook Cover Photo. When you're done here, head over to the wanderlust ATLANTA Facebook Page for more!

Cover: Turner Field

Time for another Facebook Cover Photo! This one is of gigantic baseballs that line the plaza immediately in front of Turner Field...the field that was converted from our 1996 Centennial Olympic Stadium to Turner Field—Home of the Atlanta Braves.

Baseballs Aligning Plaza in Front of Turner Field

The conversion was brilliant! Unlike so many other cities that host the Olympic Games, we didn't end up with a multi-million dollar stadium sitting unused because no one could fill it. Instead, the converted stadium is regularly packed out for home games and often used for charity walks and other activities.

And they give a fantastic behind-the-scenes tour, which includes visits to the Atlanta Braves Museum & Hall of Fame, press box, locker room, dugout, and even onto the field!

Often on Friday night home games, they'll have a post-game fireworks display. But I'll save that for another Cover Photo.

ATLANTApix: Turner Field Tours

View of Downtown Atlanta from Turner Field

Granted, baseball season is still more than a couple months away, but with football season winding down and hockey season having only 11 weeks remaining, lots of Atlanta sports enthusiasts are looking forward to the Atlanta Braves' first pitch in April.

For those who just can't wait to be surrounded by all that is baseball, Turner Field offers year-round tours. I've taken that tour and it's fantastic! Visitors get to visit the media booth, the players' dugout, and get to stand on the playing field itself.

ATLANTApix of the tourATLANTA blog features a "photo-of-the-day" of Atlanta. Come back tomorrow for a new one!