There are a lot of events in Jacksonville leading up to the 2008 Konica Minolta Gator Bowl. The whole city will be impatiently waiting for the game to start, and while you wait, maybe you can visit one of these events for college football fans.

Players’ Welcome Party
The players in the 2008 Konica Minolta Gator Bowl will enjoy an evening of entertainment at one of Jacksonville’s most exciting gaming venues to kick off their visit to the River City. Fans are invited to join us to welcome the teams and get autographs from the players. Dave and Buster’s will remain open to the public.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007 at Dave and Buster’s
Home Team (ACC): 5:00-7:00 p.m. Visiting Team: 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Adventure Landing Players’ Outing
Join the teams for a fun afternoon at the Adventure Landing Player’s Outing in Jacksonville. Fans are invited to meet the players and get autographs.
Visiting Team: Thursday, December 27th
Home Team (ACC): Friday, December 28th
This event takes place at Adventure Landing at 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Atlantic Coast Bank Gator Bowl Fellowship Breakfast
Youth from the Jacksonville community are invited for fellowship and devotion with players and coaches from the two participating universities along with an inspirational speaker on Sunday Dec 29th. Tickets may be purchased for $20 and can be donated back to the organizing committee to be used by a deserving child.

Hall of Fame Luncheon
he Coaches Luncheon and Hall of Fame Induction honors past Gator Bowl heroes. Community leaders, Coaches, Athletic Directors, and players from both Universities will attend. Monday, December 31, 2007
This event takes place at 12 noon at Hyatt Regency in Jacksonville.

VyStar Credit Union 5K
The VyStar Credit Union 5K Run is a great way to get involved with all the excitement the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl has to offer. The race is held right before the Gator Bowl Parade at Jacksonville Landing on December 31st at 2:00 pm. The race runs along portions of the parade route through downtown Jacksonville.
Participants will enjoy live music, free beer, dancing and just down right partying inside the Jacksonville Landing right after the race. Each entrant will receive a colorful VyStar Credit Union 5K Run T-shirt.
You can also Run for a Child by making a $10 donation to Wolfson Children’s Hospital.
Every donor will receive red arm band bearing the name of a child who is a patient at Wolfson Children’s Hospital. When you cross the finish line of the Gator Bowl 5K, you will know that every step you ran is helping to raise funds to care for sick and injured children. Cost: $17 until December 24; $20 December 25-30; $25 on race day
For more information call 1st Place Sports: 904-731-1900 or visit their website.

Gator Bowl Parade
You are invited to celebrate New Year’s Eve at the Winn-Dixie Hometown Gator Bowl Parade. The “Take a Walk on the Wild Side” themed parade features colorful floats, high school bands, college bands, giant helium balloons, and entertaining specialty units. The units will be routed through the Northbank in downtown Jacksonville.
Winn-Dixie and Comcast take pride in their sponsorship of the Winn-Dixie Hometown Gator Bowl Parade. The festivities begin at 3 p.m. in Downtown Jacksonville.
Cost: $10/Parade seat

Pep Rallies
Get pumped up for the game at Jacksonville Landing! Fans are invited to show their team spirit and excitement at the Pep Rallies. Join the bands, cheerleaders, and of course team mascots on New Year’s Eve!
Monday, December 31, 2007
Home Team (ACC): 1:30 p.m. Visiting Team: 5:30 p.m.

Fireworks for the New Year
Come celebrate the arrival of the New Year in downtown Jacksonville. Watch the skyline light up with sparkling fireworks over the water as the city rings in 2008.
Monday, December 31, 2007 at midnight in downtown.

For more information visit www.Gatorbowl.com or call (904) 798-1700