Gallagher: Expos Fest promises to be an excellent event

Ray Burris will be appearing at Expos Fest on Saturday.

April 25, 2025

By Danny Gallagher

Canadian Baseball Network

Ray Burris is a last-minute addition to a star-studded cast of former Expos coming to Laval, Que., for the latest edition of Expos Fest on Saturday.

The event will take place at the Embassy Plaza, beginning with the first autograph session at noon. Over 1,000 people are expected to attend the sold-out extravaganza.

Most people paid $200 a ticket which gets them one autograph per person and a four-course meal and free wine and beer.

A group of 100 fans who paid more money to skip the line will receive priority access to the autograph room.

Expos Fest operator Perry Giannias, his sister Dina Bourdakos and their families and volunteers are putting on another excellent show with the proceeds going to the Kat Demes Pavilion at the Montreal Children's Hospital.

Burris was called on in relief of Moises Alou, who had to step aside due to a nasty flu.

The 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. autograph session will feature Dave Van Horne, Wilton Guerrero, Vlad Guerrero, Claude Raymond, Ross Grimsley and Nelson Santovenia.

From 2-4, Burris joins Felipe Alou, Jose Vidro, Mel Rojas, Tim Wallach and Denis Boucher.

In the 4-6 time slot are Larry Walker, Jeff Reardon, Brad Fullmer, Bill Lee, Steve Rogers and Al Oliver. Gary Carter's widow Sandy will sign autographs in the lobby from 5-6 along with Canadiens alumni Yvan Cournoyer, Mario Tremblay and Sergio Momesso.

Giannias is especially thrilled to see Wallach making his first Expos Fest appearance. On social media, Giannias said of Wallach, "the prodigal son has returned.''

Wallach's No. 29 will be retired at the gala banquet which begins at 6:30. Others getting their jerseys retired are Felipe, Walker, Raymond, Reardon, Vidro and Rogers.