TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME

TROY, N.Y. » Thousands gathered on the riverfront in downtown Troy for All-Star FanFest, a free concert event held ahead of the 2017 New York-Penn League AllStar Game.

Baseball and music fans attended the festival Monday night at Troy’s Riverfront Park.

National award-winning country act Eli Young Band and local country rockers Skeeter Creek entertained the crowd at the event, providing the soundtrack for a fun summer night on the

Hudson River.

“I think this is awesome. I think it’s a perfect day, a lot of vendors, a lot of food, a lot of beer going, happy people,” said Amanda Killian of Wynantskill, who brought her sister, Amber, who was visiting from Arizona. “I think it’s a great atmosphere.”

Amanda was most excited to see Eli Young Band perform, along with Skeeter Creek, which she had seen several times before. “I’m here for the music,” she said.

Michelle and Richard Wall of Guilderland were in Troy on Monday night to see Eli Young Band as well. It was their first time attending a concert in Riverfront Park.

“It’s nice. It’s beautiful by the river,” Michelle, remarking that the park is a spacious venue for the event.

Deputy Mayor Monica Kurzejeski thanked the league for the privilege of hosting the festival and game in Troy for a second time.

FanFest also featured an introduction to the players who were in town to compete in the game, which was scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday at Troy’s Joseph L. Bruno Stadium. Some of these athletes were from local team Tri-City ValleyCats.

Dressed in matching Mets gear, Troy resident Nelson Rivera brought his young son, Nelson Jr., a Little League player, to see the professionals up and close.

Sisters Amy Ruhle and Kristina Leuschner of Albany attended the festival and plan to be at the game, as well.

“It’s good to see everybody coming together and having a good time,” Ruhle said between bands Monday.

The next night was sure to be fun as well, the women said. “We’re excited about the All-Star game,” Ruhle said. They had attended others before, but never in Troy.

More information about the New York-Penn League All-Star Game in Troy and related events is available online at www.tcvalleycats.com.

LAUREN HALLIGAN — LHALLIGAN@DIGITALFIRSTMEDIA.COM Local country act Skeeter Creek performs during All Star FanFest, a free event held ahead of the 2017 New York-Penn League All-Star Game on Monday night in Troy’s Riverfront Park.

A Troy police dog makes the rounds in Riverfront Park prior to the beginning of Monday’s All-Star Fanfest.

PHOTOS BY MARK ROBARGE — MROBARGE@DIGITALFIRSTMEDIA.COM Tri-City ValleyCats workers get some last-minute instructions in Troy’s Riverfront Park prior to the beginning of Monday’s All-Star Fanfest.

PHOTOS BY LAUREN HALLIGAN — LHALLIGAN@DIGITALFIRSTMEDIA.COM Amanda Killian of Wynantskill (left) brought her sister Amber Killian from Arizona (right) to the All Star Fan Fest, a free concert event held ahead of the big 2017 New YorkPenn League All-Star baseball game, on Monday night at Troy’s Riverfront Park.

LAUREN HALLIGAN — LHALLIGAN@DIGITALFIRSTMEDIA.COM Troy resident Nelson Rivera brought his young son Nelson Rivera Jr., a little league player, to see the professionals up and close at the All Star Fan Fest on Monday night at Troy’s Riverfront Park.

Don Collins (left) and Albert Washington (right), both of Troy, at the All Star Fan Fest, a free concert event held ahead of the big 2017 New York-Penn League All-Star baseball game, on Monday night at Troy’s Riverfront Park. Sisters Amy Ruhle (right)...

Local country band Skeeter Creek kicks off All-Star FanFest on Monday in Troy’s Riverfront Park.

Attendees in the sun at the All Star Fan Fest, a free concert event held ahead of the big 2017 New York-Penn League All-Star baseball game, on Monday night at Troy’s Riverfront Park.

PHOTOS BY MARK ROBARGE — MROBARGE@DIGITALFIRSTMEDIA.COM A few early-arriving fans stake out their seats in Riverfront Park prior to the beginning of Monday’s All-Star Fanfest.

Renee Lussier-Ahl of local country band Skeeter Creek tunes her guitar prior to Monday’s All-Star FanFest in Troy’s Riverfront Park.

LAUREN HALLIGAN — LHALLIGAN@DIGITALFIRSTMEDIA.COM Southpaw on stage at the 2017 All Star Fan Fest Monday night at Troy’s Riverfront Park.

Front row fans watching local band Skeeter Creek at the All Star Fan Fest, a free concert event held ahead of the big 2017 New York-Penn League All-Star baseball game, on Monday night at Troy’s Riverfront Park.

All star baseball players on stage at the 2017 All Star Fan Fest Monday night at Troy’s Riverfront Park.

People line up to get into Troy’s Riverfront Park for Monday’s All-Star FanFest.