OAKLAND — The Athletics’ official address is in West Sacramento, but if a celebration of Oakland sports Saturday is any indication, the community that supported them for the last 57 years is thriving without them.
Fans Fest 2025 had a different vibe than the , before news had broken of the A’s plans for a temporary stopover in the state capital while awaiting new digs in Las Vegas.
inaugural event a year agoSkepticism about the A’s actually winding up in a and beyond has given way to resignation.
minor league park in 2025“It’s kind of like an ex-girlfriend,” said Jorge Leon of the non-profit Oakland 68s. “You don’t want me? I’ll move on.”
The 68s and Last Dive Bar put on the event, staged in the area of Raimondi Park (home of the Pioneer League Oakland Ballers) and the Prescott Market. There was no admission and no official attendance, but a blustery day did nothing to dampen the size and enthusiasm of a crowd that fans believe was similar in size to last year’s Fans Fest.
There were the onsite eateries at Prescott Market, as well as food trucks and vendors from Oakland. The Oakland Roots and the Oakland Soul, the city’s men’s and women’s soccer teams, were represented. A handful of local breweries provided beer for sale. There was a brass band, a DJ and some dancing. Lots of families including babies in strollers. An autograph line for some former A’s players stretched from centerfield at the ballpark and wrapped all the way to the near the third base line.
Oakland Athletics legend Miguel Tejada signs Sheryl Squier’s hoodie, of San Francisco, during the annual Fans Fest organized by the Oakland 68s and Last Dive Bar at Raimondi Park in Oakland, Calif., on Saturday, March 1, 2025. (Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)
