Tessie & Wally 2016

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Feb. 8, 2016) – Spring Training is right around the corner, and the Boston Red Sox have a number of events scheduled to kick off the 2016 season as well as a new team addition fans are sure to love.

This season, the newest Red Sox mascot, Tessie the Green Monster, will join her older brother Wally at JetBlue Park. Tessie lives with her parents inside of the Green Monster wall of JetBlue Park.

“We are looking forward to introducing Tessie to Red Sox Nation here in Southwest Florida and know that she will be a fixture alongside her big brother Wally at all Red Sox games this spring at JetBlue Park as well as back home at Fenway Park,” said Katie Haas, vice president of Florida business operations for the Boston Red Sox. “The Red Sox are always so grateful for the warm welcome we receive each spring and year round from the citizens of Lee County, and we look forward to opening our fifth season at JetBlue Park with their continued support.”

The Red Sox’s equipment truck will depart from Fenway Park on Wednesday, Feb. 10. Truck Day is presented by jetBlue Airways.

Pitchers and catchers report Thursday, Feb. 18 and will hold their first workouts on Feb. 19.

Guided public tours of JetBlue Park will begin Feb. 19. Tours will be conducted daily from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the hour on non-game days until Friday, April 1. Tickets are $6 per person, and children, 12 years old and younger, are free. Tickets go on sale the day of the tour at 9:45 a.m. at the box office and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

VIP pregame tours are also available on game days for $30 per person and $10 for children 12 and younger. Reservations must be made in advance and require a ticket to that day’s game.

The first full squad workout will take place Wednesday, Feb. 24. Workouts are free and open to the public.

A free Open House sponsored by Snackwell’s is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 27 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at JetBlue Park. Family-friendly activities will include inflatables on the field, player autographs, discounted concessions, face-painting, magicians, meet and greet/photo opportunities with Wally the Green Monsters and his little sister Tessie, self-guided tours of the park, free snacks by Snackwell’s and more.

The weekly farmer’s market at JetBlue Park will continue each Wednesday and run through March 30. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the market features fresh local produce, cheeses, fresh pastas, seafood, baked breads, meats, herbs, organic vegetables, ready-to-eat meals, plants, flowers, crafts, soaps, candles and more.

Additional events include:

Feb. 16:

Annual Lee County Board of County Commissioners resolution during the board meeting at the Old Court House in downtown Fort Myers

Feb. 18:

Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce lunch at JetBlue Park, featuring Dave Dombrowski, president of baseball operations for the Boston Red Sox, speaking alongside Terry Ryan, general manager of the Minnesota Twins

Feb. 19:    

Speakers Assembly Luncheon at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa, featuring Sam Kennedy, president of the Boston Red Sox and Fenway Sports Group

Annual Governor’s Dinner at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa with Red Sox leadership John Farrell, Sam Kennedy and more

Feb. 25:        

Annual Spring Training Week of Service Volunteer Day

Celebrity Classic Boston Tee Party benefiting Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida at the Forest Country Club in Fort Myers

Feb. 26:     

23rd Annual Children’s Hospital Celebrity Classic benefiting Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida at the Forest Country Club in Fort Myers

March 2:  

11th Annual Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County’s Evening with the Red Sox Dinner & Auction at the Crowne Plaza Hotel at Bell Tower Shops, featuring guest speaker Dave Dombrowski, president of baseball operations for the Boston Red Sox

March 14:     

19th Annual Diamond Dinner benefiting Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida 

The team opens its exhibition season Monday, Feb. 29 at 1:05 p.m. with a single-admission double header against the Boston College Eagles and the Northeastern University Huskies.

The Grapefruit League schedule launches at home at JetBlue Park on Wednesday, March 2 against Boston’s Chairman’s Cup rival the Minnesota Twins. The Grapefruit League home opener is the first of seven contests between the cross-town foes.

The 2016 Spring Training season at JetBlue Park at Fenway South in Lee County is presented by CVS Pharmacy.