City unveils All-Star week plan ahead of July game at Citi Field

The MLB All-Star Game is coming to Citi Field July 16, along with a five-day fan festival featuring Mets captain David Wright and more.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg Wednesday welcomed Wright and Mets legends Mookie Wilson, Edgardo Alfonzo and John Franco to City Hall to announce the All Star FanFest. The game will be in Queens for the first time since 1964.

"It's a validation that New York City has become the sports capital in America," Bloomberg said.

The event also marked the opening of the All-Star ballot, where fans can vote for the players they want to see in the Midsummer Classic. Wright, the Mets third baseman, is up for his seventh All-Star Game appearance.

"New York has the most passionate, greatest fans," said Wright, who played in the 2008 game at the old Yankee Stadium. "There's nothing that's comparable to playing an All-Star Game in New York."

The pre-game FanFest will be held at the Jacob Javits Center from July 12 to July 16, with appearances from former Mets stars, MLB legends and Hall of Famers who will be signing autographs. There will also be history exhibits, as well as the world's largest baseball.

Baseball stars from every major league team will parade down 42nd Street during the All-Star Red Carpet show.

"Anybody who wants a piece of an All-Star memory should be able to get one," said MLB executive Tim Brosnan.

In light of the Boston Marathon bombings, Bloomberg stressed that fans should feel secure during the festivities.

"If I were going to go to a major event," Bloomberg said, "I would rather go to a major event in New York City knowing that we have the NYPD providing security."