RICHMOND, VA - The Flying Squirrels, Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, have announced plans for their Ultimate Fan Fest and Ticketpalooza which will take place on Saturday, March 10th, from 9 AM - 12 PM at The Diamond. Among the numerous activities taking place during the three-hour event will be National Anthem Auditions, a Summer Camp Fair, and the unveiling of the 2012 Concourse Art Contest winners. Single-game tickets for the Flying Squirrels 2012 home schedule including 2012 Opening Night, Thursday, April 12th, featuring an appearance by Dale Murphy, and tickets to the 102.1 The X Chili Cook Off will be available for purchase. In addition to the events taking place at the Ultimate Fan Fest and Ticketpalooza, there will be live music, games, inflatables, a petting zoo and pony rides featuring Belle, the pony that will be given away on Princess Night, July 21st.

The Flying Squirrels Ultimate Fan Fest and Ticketpalooza is FREE and open to the public.

"This is our third year of hosting a fan fest-type event, and we know that fans will see that we are poised to make everything we do bigger and better," said Flying Squirrels Vice President and COO Todd "Parney" Parnell. "There is going to be so much activity taking place at The Diamond for our Ultimate Fan Fest and Ticketpalooza that it might be difficult to experience it all in three hours."

The event kicks off with National Anthem Auditions, which will be held in the PFG Picnic Zone located on the third base side of the main concourse. On-air personalities from Clear Channel - Richmond will be included as part of a panel of celebrity judges. Those interested in auditioning to sing the National Anthem prior to a 2012 Flying Squirrels home game should contact Lisa Szymendera by phone at (804) 359-3866 ext. 316 or email at lisa.szymendera@squirrelsbaseball.com to schedule an audition time.

Also beginning at 9 AM, the Flying Squirrels Inaugural Summer Camp Fair will take place along the main concourse of The Diamond. Camps participating in the event include: Camp Hanover, Westview of the James, SCOR, Richmond Fencing, Minnieland Academy at Wellesley, Children's Museum of Richmond, University of Richmond Athletics, The Robins Junior Golf Program at Independence Golf Club, VCU Rams Baseball Camps, McCoy Martial Arts, Camp Thunderbird YMCA, Jump Start Dance Studio and Ultimate Karate Academy.

At 10 AM, the winners of the 2012 Concourse Art Contest presented by Stephanie Hudnell Allstate Insurance will be recognized on the AAA Ultimate Fan Zone Main Stage. The theme for the contest was "My favorite thing about a Flying Squirrels game is..." and 15 winners were selected out of approximately 100 entries. In addition to being honored during the ceremony, the 15 winners will have their artwork on display on the side of the suites on the main concourse of The Diamond. The artwork will remain on display throughout the 2012 season. The Flying Squirrels will also be unveiling new Nutzy, Zinger, and Parker the Rally Pig cartoon art as well as the debut of the Flying Squirrels' official font.

Activities taking place throughout the event on the field include games, an inflatable rock climbing wall and family catch on the field. The batting cages will be open underneath The Diamond for fans to use. Additionally, Nutzyville presented by HCA, located on the first base side of the ballpark, will feature a mascot photo booth as well as inflatable games and a Parker the Rally Pig petting booth. Outside the front gates will be an inflatable moon bounce as well as the petting zoo and pony rides. Belle, the pony that will be given away on Princess Night, will be available for photo opportunities outside the front gates as well. Trackless train rides in and around The Diamond will begin in the Red Lot, located between the ballpark and the Arthur Ashe Center.

The Ultimate Fan Fest and Ticketpalooza will be the first opportunity to purchase single-game tickets to the Flying Squirrels' 2012 home games. It will also be the first opportunity for fans to purchase tickets to the 102.1 The X Chili Cook Off. The list of performers at the Chili Cook Off will be released on Friday, March 2nd, at 5 PM.

"Certainly we want fans to enjoy the event and all of the festivities taking place, but we also want to remind everyone to pick up their Squirrels' tickets and Chili Cook Off tickets while they are here," added Parnell. "Having Dale Murphy and fireworks for Opening Day could make tickets hard to come by for fans who wait too long. Get your tickets on March 10th and make sure you are a part of what is going to be an absolutely incredible experience at The Diamond."

Season Ticket and Mini-Plan packages for the 2012 season are currently available. For more information, contact the Flying Squirrels at (804) 359-FUNN (3866) or visit SquirrelsBaseball.com.