Astros Opening Day 2023: Megan Thee Stallion, Cody Johnson and Mark Wahlberg are among the famous faces starting Houston’s season

Houston, Texas (KTRK) – The Houston Astros and World Series champions will open the 2023 campaign in Minute Maid Park against the Chicago White Sox Thursday at 6:08 p.m., and a trio of superstars will team up to help them do just that.

During the special party leading up to the game, country music superstar Cody Johnson, who grew up in Trinity County, will sing the national anthem.

Houston native, Grammy Award winner, philanthropist and entrepreneur Megan Thee Stallion will throw the ceremonial first pitch, and actor Mark Wahlberg will take the call.

Wahlberg is notoriously a big fan of Boston sports, so how did he end up helping out on Thursday night in Houston?

The Houston Chronicle’s ABC13 Partners noted that Astros third baseman Alex Bregman and Wahlberg are buds.

Indeed, Wahlberg He recently appeared in a video with Bergmanpromoting the Sports Star Sauce.

In addition, “God Bless America” ​​will be sung by Promise Harris.

But even before that, fans can get in on the fun early at Opening Day Street Fest from 3pm-6pm.

As usual, a game ticket is required to enter the festival, which will feature live music, food trucks, photo booths, and more.

And a bonus for fans of Budweiser’s Clydesdales – the famous horses will also be on hand for the thrills.

If you thought the festivities ended there, you’d be wrong.

Friday is a great day too, perhaps the biggest because that’s when players receive their World Championship rings.

On this day, country music legend and Houston native Lyle Lovett will sing the national anthem. Jason Castro, a former Astro and member of the 2022 World Series team who retired during the offseason, will pitch the ceremonial first pitch, and rapper Paul Wall will be honored at the Play Ball call.

All fans will receive a replica of the World Championship Trophy.

The game also means the return of Fireworks Friday.

Champions Weekend will continue on Saturday with every fan getting the Jeremy Peña MVP Bobblehead. This is the day Peña and Kyle Tucker will be honored with the 2022 Gold Glove Award and Jose Altuve and Yordan Alvarez will be honored as the 2022 Silver Slugger Award winners.

Danielle Bradbury will sing the national anthem while country music star Parker McCollum, a native of Conroe, will sing the first ceremonial anthem.

Opening weekend ends on Sunday as fans receive a replica episode of the Jeremy Peña World Series. The Powell brothers would complete the national anthem and perform duties of “God Bless America.”