Spring is here and with it come the boys of summer. Baseball season has started for high school and college teams. Next week, Major League Baseball kicks off its 2012 season. That means it is time for the Mississippi Braves to begin their seventh season in Pearl.

This Saturday, the Mississippi Braves are building excitement for the season by holding their first ever Fan Fest from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Trustmark Park. Fan Fest is free and packed with things to do for the entire family.

Fans can take a tour of Trustmark Park or watch the Atlanta Braves spring training game in Orlando at 1 p.m. on the video scoreboard. Kids can play in the Fun Zone; it includes inflatable bounces, slides and more. The Atlanta-based band Voltage Brothers will put on a show from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The club will also provide free drinks, hotdogs, hamburgers and more all day long.

Longtime Atlanta Braves fans are in for a treat: a free autograph session from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. with former Braves Ryan Klesko, Otis Nixon and Greg McMichael. All three players were part of the dominant Atlanta Braves teams of the early 1990s. Braves fans remember how those '90s teams went to the World Series five times and won it in 1995.

The M-Braves are a Class-AA affiliate of the Atlanta Braves and play in the Southern League. This franchise is looking for its second Southern League Championship, which they first won in 2008.

The M-Braves begin their season at home April 5 at Trustmark Park against the Mobile Bay Bears. The first pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. and tickets, along with merchandise, can be purchased at Fan Fest.

For more information contact the Trustmark Park executive offices at 601-932-8788.