ST. LOUIS – Despite the rain delay for Opening Day, many fans arrived in downtown St. Louis early in order to snag that perfect parking spot and enjoy the festivities while waiting for the game to begin.
“I got here like 8 o’clock this morning to beat the parking and I had a breakfast up here at the Ballpark Village,” fan Taco Perez said. “We do it every year.”
Many used MetroLink to avoid traffic and parking issues, finding it a convenient and hassle-free option.
“I parked over at Hooters, where you gotta pay for the meters, and it was a lot of parking spots over there,” fan Shanana Williams said. “And I got here at 9 o’clock to make sure that I got a parking spot.”
Authorities emphasized that security was a top priority, with extra patrols, bag checks, and metal detectors in place to ensure a safe experience for all attendees.
“Security is going great. The people are nice here and there’s been no incidents, but everything is okay for the Opening Day,” Ricky Lovelace, an employee at BEST Crowd Management, said. “Stay safe, be vigilant, enjoy the game, and let us do our job.”
Fans who planned ahead were prepared with rain gear and patience, ensuring a smooth experience despite the weather.
“Once they start closing down the roads, I mean, we get here early to beat the crowds because it’s a St. Louis holiday, or at least it should be,” fan Natalie Augustine said.
Opening Day at Busch Stadium was marked by enthusiastic fans, smooth security operations, and the convenience of public transportation, setting a positive tone for the season ahead.
All facts from this article were gathered by KTVI journalists. This article was converted into this format with assistance from artificial intelligence. It has been edited and approved by KTVI staff.