We have to admit that we're not terribly excited about the All Star Game next Tuesday. None of the players who play really care despite the "This Time it Matters" hype and usually by the sixth inning, when most of the actual stars are flying back in their rented private jets, you get all the excitement of watching some reliever for the Devil Rays facing off against some guy from the Nationals. The only thing that will make it worth watching is to see the ball park and the city get shown off. Well, that and they're expecting so many boats in the Cove that the Giants will only allow boats that register to be out there. We love when the Cove is filled with boats.

The festivities surrounding the All Star Game, however, are a whole other matter. We're excited for the parties for which we are not invited, the FanFest and the Home Run Derby. Sadly, baseball's All Star Game will probably not include football players throwing money around at strip clubs and then getting involved in shoot outs, but whatevs. Maybe something exciting could happen at Centerfolds?

For those interested in the events for this weekend, we have the details after the jump. And if you can't attend, maybe you can catch the hoopla at Justin.TV which will be doing their thing all weekend.

July 6-10, 2007 - The All Star FanFest will be at Moscone West and features video batting and pitching cages, "interactive clincs" with a bunch of baseball people, autograph sessions, stuff from the Hall of Fame, and a tribute to the Negro Leagues. The FanFest will be on Friday (9 a.m.-6 p.m.), Saturday-Monday (9 a.m.-8 p.m.), and Tuesday (9 a.m.-5 p.m.)

Sunday, July 8, 2007 - All-Star Sunday features the All-Star Futures Game and the Legends & Celebrity Softball Game. The game will feature such "stars" as Dane Cook, Jerry Rice, Jimmy Kimmel and Alyssa Milano (probably trolling for dates). Oh, and Gavin. The "Legends" portion includes Gary Carter, Rollie Fingers, SFist's first baseball idol Fred Lynn, Ernie Banks (!), and a whole bunch of ex-Giants including Robb Nen, JT Snow and Kevin Mitchell(!). The Futures Game is some concotion featuring baseball's rising stars (read minor league prospects) in a U.S. vs. World format. The event will be held at the Phonebooth pretty much all day. Doors open at 11:30 AM.

Monday, July 9, 2007 - All-Star Workout Day includes the Home Run Derby, and batting practice for both the AL and NL teams. Gates open at 2. The Cove should be pretty nuts for the Derby.

Tuesday, July 10, 2007 – The game, natch. Also, there will be an "All-Star Game Red Carpet Show" with All-Star players and managers riding through the streets of San Francisco in open-air vehicles. The event is free and will be at Piers 30-32 to AT&T Park, noon-1 p.m. You can also go watch batting practice before the game. Doors will open at 2.

Tickets for DHL All-Star FanFest can be purchased via the Giants official Web site (www.sfgiants.com), the official All-Star Web site of Major LeagueBaseball (www.allstargame.com), at the AT&T Park Box Office or by phone at 1-888-FANFEST (326-3378).

Tickets range in price from $22 for adults and $17 for seniors, military personnel and children ages 3-12. Children two and under are admitted free. A family discount package is also available.