BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — Lines of people formed around the gates of historic Rickwood Field on Wednesday night as hundreds of people attended a Celebrity Softball and Barnstorming Juneteenth Celebration.
“I saw Big Papi a while ago and my wife almost passed out, that was amazing,” Bradley Mullinax said.
Mullinax and his family were among the few people in the seats at the stadium, some of whom traveled from far away just to witness this historic week in Birmingham.
“I'm out of Birmingham and I'm in Georgia, but my wife and I came out for this event. We're happy to be here and I think everyone in Birmingham is too,” said baseball fan Bobby Hood Sr. “This is my first time at an event like this. It's great, it's amazing.”
With celebrities in attendance including actor Omari Hardwick, former NBA player Matt Barnes, Grammy-nominated artist Dreezy, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff and Congressman Teri Sewell, the importance of this week's event has piqued the interest of younger fans as well.
The celebrity game concluded and attendees said they were happy to have witnessed the moment.
“This is huge for the community, for commerce, for the local economy, for jobs. I think it will help people realise that Rickwood Field and Birmingham is a place they should visit,” Mullinax said.
Following the softball game there was a performance by Metro Boomin.
