Sox Populi and South Side Sox had two writers attending the reimagined SoxFest this past weekend, Melissa Sage-Bollenbach for both days, and Kristina Airdo lucky enough to cover the better day, kickoff night on Friday. Both sat with Brett Ballantini to discuss the pluses and minuses of the event:

• First, the pluses, including a terrific leadoff night on Friday. Kristina took that in from the media space, while Melissa and family was there in full fan mode — including an appearance on stage with son Sage!
• How the intimacy of the event (or, cynically, the “selective audience” the White Sox attract nowadays) made everything more satisfying
• Could the White Sox have hoped for SoxFest 2025 to go any better?
• Flops from the weekend, including a very disorganized Saturday night
• Melissa’s tips on what to do and when, including the unbelievable intimacy of the re-envisioned After Party

Please support our White Sox writing and podcasts.