The Los Angeles Dodgers will conduct their first Viva Los Dodgers family friendly festival of the 2016 season before today’s game against the San Francisco Giants, with first baseman Adrian Gonzales posing for pictures with fans.
Viva Los Dodgers will begin at 3:05 p.m. at Dodger Stadium’s 76 station. Gonzales will appear from 3:15-3:35 p.m. Fans are encouraged to arrive early for the opportunity to take a photo with Gonzales. Blue Prints, the Dodgers photography team, will provide one complimentary photo per family or group.
Tommy Davis, the 1962 and 1963 National League batting champion, and Dennis Powell, who pitched for the Dodgers in 1985 and 1986, will sign autographs at Viva Los Dodgers following Gonzales’ appearance.
Mariachi Sol de Mexico and Los 5 will provide musical entertainment.
Lucia Diaz, CEO of the Mar Vista Community Center, will receive a Community Hero Award. She has organized community cleanups, youth and parent conferences and community events in the Westside.
The Dodgers conduct Viva Los Dodgers before every Sunday home game of the regular season except the final one. On Sept. 24, the team will conduct La Gran Fiesta Viva Los Dodgers.
Los 5 will also perform a pregame concert on top of the Dodger dugout. Los 5 bills itself as an independent band formed by bicultural musicians inspired to project a positive influence on everyone in the world through their music.
The band was chosen by middleweight boxing champion Gennady Golovkin, who will throw the ceremonial first pitch. Golovkin, who was born in Kazakhstan and lives in Los Angeles, will defend his four titles Saturday at the Forum against American Dominic Wade, who is also undefeated.
U.S. Army Reserve Sgt. Gerald Reed of Bell will be honored as the Military Hero of the Game. Reed has served for 11 years and is stationed in Bell as an Active Guard Reserve soldier supporting the 349th Combat Support Hospital.
Reed recently re-enlisted for another six years and has been assigned to multiple units, including the 416th Engineering Company, the 367th Military Police Company and 377th Military Police Company, who he supported during its deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Auto gates will open at 2:35 p.m. and stadium gates at 3:05 p.m. The Dodgers will take batting practice from 2:20-3:20 p.m. and San Francisco from 3:25-4:20 p.m. Pregame ceremonies, including the national anthem and ceremonial first pitch will begin at 4:57 p.m., with the game set to start at 5:05 p.m.