New Year’s means parade, fireworks and football — at least in Jacksonville, Florida. As you know, The 2010 Konica Minolta Gator Bowl will showcase the West Virginia Mountaineers vs. the Florida State Seminoles. The big game kicks off at 1:00 pm on New Year’s Day at the stadium.

The River City is going to attract a huge crowd of football fans for the week leading up to game day. Didn’t get tickets? No worries, there is a whole bunch of fun events around town and plenty of cool hang outs.

The Patch
A great idea is to purchase “The Patch” which gets you in for free at some of the events – for example the Budweiser Tailgate Party, and the patch also gives you pretty good rebates at different places from $2.00 off admission at the Zoo to half price on golf karts and laser tag at the Adventure Landing. The Patch is only $10.
For details about what rebates you get with the patch, click here

Here is the list of what’s happening day by day:

Sunday Dec 27 & Monday Dec 28, 2009

Adventure Landing Players Outing

December 27, 2009 – ACC Team
December 28, 2009 – Visiting Team
Time: 3 PM – 5 PM
Adventure Landing on Beach Blvd.

This is a special event for players participating in the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl. There is plenty to do at Adventure Landing including laser tag, go-carts, miniature golf and arcade games. Fans with “THE PATCH” are welcome to join the fun!

Please note: NO additional PATCHES can be purchased on the day of the event; Members must be wearing “THE PATCH” in order to be admitted and receive the benefits of “THE PATCH”.
(Click here to purchase the patch!)

Tuesday Dec 29, 2009

Gator Bowl FCA Breakfast
December 29, 2009 at 7:00 a.m.
First Baptist Church of Jacksonville

This is an event for the early birds! Coaches and players from both teams in the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl 2010 will join the Jacksonville business community and local youth for a time of fellowship and devotion at the First Baptist Church of Jacksonville. Coaches and athletes will share testimonials of how Christianity is a part of their life and two local student athletes will be presented the Tony Boselli Award of Excellence.

Tickets: $20. Click here to buy tickets.

Wednesday Dec 30, 2009

A Day at the Zoo presented by Outback Steakhouse
Times: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM – ACC Team
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM – Visiting Team

Players of both teams competing in the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl will enjoy a day at the Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens for the only walking safari in Northeast Florida. Refreshments will be provided by Outback Steakhouse.

NEW YEARS EVE EVENTS

Thursday, Dec 31, 2009
CSX Coaches Luncheon and Hall of Fame Induction
December 31, 2009 at 12 NOON
Hyatt Regency Hotel

Tickets for this popular luncheon are sold out already. The event showcases the best of the past and present in Gator Bowl history. It’s a chance for fans to meet and greet coaches and players, as well as rub elbows with legends from the Gator Bowl past.

VyStar 5K Run
Thursday, December 31 at 1:30 p.m.
The Jacksonville Landing

This race is held right before the Gator Bowl Parade, and runs along the parade route through downtown Jacksonville. It’s a great way to participate in the excitement. If running is not for you, come down and support the runners. Each entrant will receive a VyStar Credit Union 5K Run T-shirt.

Click here for complete race information.

Winn-Dixie Hometown Gator Bowl Parade
Thursday, December 31 3 p.m.
Downtown Jacksonville
$10 Reserved Parade Seat

This is one of the most popular annual events in Jacksonville, and there is no better way to celebrate the beginning of a New Year than with a parade. So come to downtown for the Winn-Dixie Hometown Gator Bowl Parade filled with colorful floats, high school bands, college bands, giant helium balloons, and entertaining specialty units. The units will be routed along the Northbank in downtown Jacksonville. Click here for complete parade information.

Gator Bowl Parade Route
The parade will start at the Prime Osborn Convention Center and on Water Street in front of the Federal Reserve Bank.
Take Water Street (east) continuing east to Independent Drive
Make a left on Laura Street (north) to Bay Street
Make a left on Bay Street (west)
Follow Bay Street ending at the Prime Osborn Convention Center (end of parade)

Gator Bowl Pep Rallies
The Jacksonville Landing Courtyard
Florida State Pep Rally: 1:30 p.m.
West Virginia Pep Rally: 5:30 p.m.

Get pumped up for the Toyota Gator Bowl Classic! Excited fans are gathering at the Jacksonville Landing to show their team spirit at the Pep Rallies. There will be music, bands, cheerleaders, mascots and lots and lots of screaming football fans!

New Year’s Eve Party
The Jacksonville Landing Courtyard

The Party in the Park
New Year’s Eve Celebration at Metropolitan Park
with Donavon Frankenreiter & Friends
Gates open at 5 p.m.
Please click here for more information

New Year’s Eve Fireworks Spectacular
Midnight
Downtown Jacksonville
Presented by The City of Jacksonville

Finish off a full day of events with fireworks! Count down to 2010 with a spectacular fireworks display over the St. Johns River to light up the night sky and celebrate the New Year.

Fireworks will be shot from one barge in front of The Jacksonville Landing and another barge in front of the Hyatt Regency Hotel. The fireworks can be viewed from the Northbank and Southbank.

NEW YEAR’S DAY

January 1, 2010
Budweiser Tailgate Party
Jacksonville Municipal Stadium Pepsi Pavilion
$10 at the gate or free admission with the PATCH

Thousands of football fans come together to celebrate their team in a festive and family-oriented entertainment atmosphere. Feel the excitement of college football. There will be pep rallies, cheerleaders and bands from both Universities. This party is guaranteed to spark the passion in every college football fan. You can also test your own athletic skills� – or compete with friends and family – with a wide variety� of interactive games. There a whole selections of inflatables for kids of all ages to enjoy. This is a Tailgate Party you don’t want to miss!
And if you’re planning on going, make sure you check out the patch. You get rebates at a few other locations as well. Click here to buy the patch.

Times-Union Touchdown Party
January 1, 2010 from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Inside Tailgate Party

Tickets to the Touchdown Party are SOLD OUT. This pregame Tailgate Party complete with game day Bar-B-Q and complimentary beverages is a great way to sample game day excitement.

Konica Minolta Gator Bowl Classic
Florida State University vs. West Virginia University
Jacksonville Municipal Stadium
With six Heisman trophy winners, 175 all-Americans and over 1,000,000 fans, the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl is truly more than a football game…it is a premiere event of Florida’s First Coast.
For ticket information, visit www.gatorbowl.com

Download the fan guide

PARKING

Parking for the 2010 Konica Minolta Gator Bowl is SOLD OUT.

SKYWAY:
The Skyway stops at eight stations throughout downtown on both sides of the river. Change machines are available at each location. Cost: 50¢ (one way).

STATIONS:
• FCCJ (Hogan and State Streets)
• Hemming Plaza (Monroe and Hogan Streets)
• Central (Bay and Pearl Streets) The Jacksonville Landing stop
• Convention Center (Bay and Johnson Streets)
• San Marco (San Marco Blvd. and Mary Street)
• Riverplace (Flagler Avenue)
• Kings Avenue (Prudential Drive and Kings Avenue)

Visit www.jtafla.com for alternative transportation and parking options on game day.

For more information, visit www.gatorbowl.com