The 2012 Major League Baseball All-Star game comes to Kauffman Stadium on July 10 in Kansas City. The 40th anniversary of the stadium will be celebrated as MLB’s best puts on a showcase for fans in the Midwest.

There are plenty of events for fans to take in while enjoying the festive atmosphere. All times listed are local for Kansas City, which is Central Time.

Fan Fest

The 2012 All-Star Fan Fest kicks off the celebration Friday, July 6, at the Kansas City Convention Center. Billed as the “world’s largest interactive baseball theme park,” Fan Fest goes every day until July 10, the night of the game. Adults get in for $30 per day, kids 12 and under are $25. Each day has a different promotion and there are discounts for multiple days. Hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. from July 6 to July 9. On the night of game, Fan Fest goes from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

5K and Fun Run

The All-Star Game Charity 5K and Fun Run benefits three cancer charities. Serious runners start at 7:30 a.m. in downtown Kansas City Sunday, July 8. The one-mile fun run begins 30 minutes later. Wheelchair divisions begin five minutes before each run. With each registration, fans receive a T-shirt. Those who finish get a commemorative medal. Kansas City Royals legend George Brett will make an appearance.

Futures Game and Charity Softball Game

Later Sunday night, Taco Bell will host two games at Kauffman Stadium. The Futures Game begins at 4 p.m. followed by the All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game starting around 7:30 p.m. The Futures Game has young talent from around Major League Baseball. The charity softball game features actors, other athletes, singers, and Brett will play in the game as well. Tickets start at $65 for lower level seats.

Home Run Derby

Fans love the home run derby. All-Star Monday at the ballpark begins at 6:30 p.m. with workouts. Then at 7 p.m. the home run derby starts. A limited number of tickets are still available between $200 and $275, depending on the seat location.

All-Star Sponsor Zone and Chevy Test Track

In the parking lots of Kauffman Stadium will be two fan-centric areas. The All-Star Sponsor Zone is in Lot H and Chevy Test Track is in Lot J. Each area is open from noon to 8:30 p.m. July 8 and then until 8 p.m. July 9 and July 10. There will be tons of freebies and interactive games at each parking lot.

Watch Parties

The Kansas City Business Journal reports there will be five city-sponsored watch parties throughout Kansas City for those who don’t have tickets to the game yet still want to partake in the game July 10. All five locations get the party started at 6 p.m. with the game starting at 7 p.m. The Crown Center, Guadalupe Center, 18th and Vine Jazz District, Kansas City Zoo and Zona Rosa’s Town Square will have huge LED televisions upon which to watch the game. Anyone under 21 must be accompanied by an adult.

William Browning grew up a St. Louis Cardinals fan. He has attended a few games at Kauffman Stadium during interleague play against the Royals.