Reds Opening Day Preview: Everything You Need to Know ahead of Cincinnati's Favorite Holiday

Opening Day is almost here, Reds fans!

F-16 U.S. Air Force fighter jets fly over Great American Ball Park during the national anthem prior / Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY

CINCINNATI – The most wonderful day on the calendar is here: Opening Day. If you’re reading this, you probably know by now how special this day is in the City of Cincinnati. From schools and businesses closing to parades and fireworks, everyone has somewhere to be on Opening Day. 

We already know the Reds will be at Great American Ball Park slugging it out with the Washington Nationals on Thursday afternoon, but what about everyone else? Here’s the full Cincinnati schedule for Opening Day:

REDS COMMUNITY FUND CHARITY BLOCK PARTY

WHERE: The Banks

WHEN: 11 AM - 3:30 PM

WHAT: The most popular party on Opening Day, a sea of red with drinks, live music, and raising money for a good cause. 

FINDLAY MARKET OPENING DAY PARADE

WHERE: Starting on Race Street at Findlay Market, running 1.4 miles straight down Race to 5th Street, turning east and ending at the Taft Theater. 

WHEN: Noon

WHAT: The 105th Findlay Market Opening Day Parade will feature Honorary Grand Marshal and radio icon Jim Scott, former Reds Dmitri Young and Pokey Reese as Grand Marshals, and current Reds pitchers Andrew Abbott and Nick Martinez

Andrew Abbott and Nick Martinez will ride in the 2024 Findlay Market #RedsOpeningDay Parade on Thursday! pic.twitter.com/hNpF6tvn97

— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) March 25, 2024

GATES OPEN

WHERE: Great American Ball Park

WHEN: 2:10 PM

WHAT: This one is pretty self-explanatory. The gates to Great American Ball Park open. The Reds will be giving away 2024 Magnetic Schedules/Car Magnets while supplies last. 

PREGAME CEREMONIES

WHERE: Great American Ball Park

WHEN: 3:30 PM

WHAT: Ceremonial First Pitch by former Reds First Baseman Sean Casey

Game Ball Delivery by former Reds Outfielder and 1977 NL MVP George Foster

Former Reds broadcaster Marty Brennaman will serve as Honorary Captain, celebrating the 50th Anniversary of his debut with the Reds in 1974.

Players, coaches, and staff from both the Nationals and Reds will be introduced and line the first and third base paths. 

Members of the Cincinnati Firefighters Local 48 with unfurl a gigantic American Flag, measuring 300’ by 150’,

Marlana VanHoose of Denver, Kentucky will sing the National Anthem

Two UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopters will perform a flyover from the US Army Reserves 8-229th Assault Helicopter Battalion from Fort Knox, Kentucky. 

GAME START

WHERE: Great American Ball Park

WHEN: 4:10 PM

WHAT: Play ball!