Opera singer Denyce Graves, former "American Idol" finalist Elliot Yamin and F-16 fighter jets from the DC Air National Guard will be among the special guests when the Nationals Park makes its official debut on Sunday Night.
The Nationals confirmed that President Bush will throw out the first pitch, escorted to the mound by team owner Theodore N. "Ted" Lerner, manager Manny Acta and third baseman Ryan Zimmerman.
Graves, a native of D.C. and a graduate of the Duke Ellington School for the Performing Arts, will sing the National Anthem.
Other pre-game events will include the showing of a special video on the Nationals 4,811 square foot video board, followed by the unfurling of two large American flags in the outfield with a flyover from the F-16s. Nationals broadcaster and Hall-of-Famer Don Sutton will act as emcee. D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty will also be on hand to to announce "Washington...Let's Play Ball."
Yamin, a Richmond native, will sing "God Bless America" prior to the 7th inning stretch.
Nationals Park will open at 3:30 p.m., nearly five hours before the first pitch. All fans will receive rally towel and lanyard as they walk in and will be greeted by a Dixieland jazz band and barbershop quartet.
