Astros Opening Day schedule of events

Baseball in Houston begins in less than 12 hours from now. The Astros have a party in store for the fans coming to the game and those won't be a part of the sold out crowd The Astros will host their 14th annual Opening Day Street Festival, which includes a prep rally, music, games for all ages, vender expo, and much more. The street festival will be highlighted by a pep rally lead by manager A.J. Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow. Pitcher Collin McHugh and catcher Hank Conger will have a Q&A session. Both events will be hosted by Astros broadcaster Robert Ford.

Moving inside the stadium, the games open for Opening Day at 3:00 PM. The Opening Day ceremonies begin at 5:25 PM. Fans remember that for most this is a normal work in downtown Houston, the parking lots will be full and the traffic will be at it's peak. Plan accordingly.

Astros broadcast legend Milo Hamilton will begin the ceremony, and hand over the lineup announcements to Astros long-time television broadcast Bill Brown. There will be a pregame ceremony for newly elected member of the Baseball Hall of Fame Craig Biggio and 2014 batting champion Jose Altuve. Biggio and Altuve will be the battery for the first pitch, former second baseman will be throwing the first pitch to the current second baseman.

There will be a flyover by the Houston wing of the Commemorative Air Force and the national Anthem will be preformed by America's Got Talent finalist, Emily West.

SCHEDULE FOR OPENING DAY - MONDAY, APRIL 6

1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.: 14th annual Opening Day Street Festival on Crawford Street (free admission)
2:00 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.: Pep Rally featuring manager A.J. Hinch and GM Jeff Luhnow, hosted by Robert Ford, on the Budweiser Stage
2:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.: Q&A with RHP Collin McHugh and C Hank Conger, hosted by Robert Ford, on the Budweiser Stage
3:00 p.m.: All gates open to the ballpark
5:25 p.m.: Pregame field ceremonies begin
6:08 p.m.: Cleveland Indians at Houston Astros