Super Bowl South Beach style
Among the myriad parties, concerts and gatherings accompanying Super Bowl XLIV next month is “Eats, Beats and Cleats” – a four-day festival of player appearances, sports films, “Dancing For the NFL Stars,” music, merchandise, chalk talk and tailgate party.
The festival, which is taking over a portion of Lincoln Road, starts with a VIP party at the Ritz Carlton on Feb. 4.
NFL players who appeared on Dancing with the Stars will serve as judges for dancing fans. A Gridiron Greats Night of Champions show Friday night will be hosted by Mike Ditka and Jamie Foxx. A sports film festival Friday and Saturday includes screenings of The Longest Yard, Miracle and the UM documentary, The U.
More than 75 current and former NFL players and athletes from across sports are scheduled to appear during the festival weekend. The list includes the likes of Barry Sanders, Michael Irvin, Tony Dorsett, Vinnie Testaverde, Gale Sayers, Roger Staubach Jim Kiick, Ickey Woods and Jim Marshall.
Tickets, which cost $350 for a VIP All Access Passport that includes Thursday night through the pregame tailgate party on Sunday, and $85 for a daily pass (available for Friday, Saturday and Sunday), are on sale now at www.ebcmiami.com or by calling 877-733-3430.
A portion of the proceeds go to the Gridiron Greats Assistance Program, which provides financial and medical assistance to needy retired NFL players. (Tickets can be purchased separately for the Gridiron Greats Night of Champions at the Fillmore Miami Beach at the Jackie Gleason Theater. Go to www.gridirongreats.org.)
Since the festival is on Lincoln Road, you don’t need a ticket to glimpse the stars. Autographs and other festivities? You’ll need a pass for those.
CRAIG DAVIS In more than 33 years at the Sun Sentinel, Craig Davis has written about a wide variety of sports topics from baseball to yachting, fishing to triathlons, and also worked as a copy editor and page designer. Recently he reported on local sports, including running, swimming, cycling, equestrian and beach volleyball. He enjoys sports as a participant as well as a spectator, is active in the South Florida running scene plays in the curling club at Saveology Iceplex. This blog offers a glimpse at the business side of sports in the interest of enhancing enjoyment of the games and sporting options as a spectator as well as a participant.
