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Who needs the game? There's plenty of other action

By JAY CRIDLIN
Published January 28, 2005

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Maybe you don't have a ticket (they're going on eBay for up to $2,000 already), but you're thinking about driving up to Jacksonville to take part in the hoopla. Here's a calendar of some of the things going on this week and next weekend surrounding Super Bowl XXXIX.

Friday through Sunday

America Online presents the NFL Experience: The annual fan-friendly football theme park is set for this year's game; 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.; JEA Park, downtown Jacksonville; adults $15, children under 12 are $10; www.superbowl.com or 904 353-3309.

Times-Union Superfest: An entertainment zone featuring entertainment, food, games and merchandise. On Friday, Kool & the Gang and Huey Lewis and the News will perform; 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday, noon to midnight Sunday; downtown Jacksonville; free; www.coj.net or 904 630-3690.

Friday

Jacksonville Super Showtime Festival: Boogie on down at this day-and-night festival celebrating members of Jacksonville's Hispanic communities; 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; A. Philip Randolph Park, 1096 A. Philip Randolph Blvd.; free general admission; $100 for VIP seating; www.supershowtime.com or 904 713-9201.

"A Night of Elegance" Red Carpet Gala and Outstanding Football Player Achievement Awards: The Bucs' Derrick Brooks is among the players being honored at this VIP event. Peyton Manning, Tony Gonzalez and Biz Markie are other featured guests. 6 to 7:30 p.m., VIP reception and silent auction; 8 to 10 p.m., dinner and awards presentation; 11 p.m., afterparty. Jacksonville Museum of Modern Art; $175; www.thehelpfoundation.net or 407 226-0235.

Pepsi Smash Super Bowl Concert Series: A hoedown of epic proportions, featuring Dwight Yoakam, Jo Dee Messina, Chris Cagle and Josh Gracin; 8 p.m.; Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena; $39-$60; www.superbowl.com or 904 353-3309.

"An Evening of Inspiration" Gospel Celebration: A gospel sing-along featuring Patti Labelle, Donnie McClurkin, Byron Cage and NFL players; 8 to 10:30 p.m.; Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church, 1118 W Beaver St.; $50; www.superbowlgospelcelebration.com or 770 980-4925.

Saturday

Jacksonville Super Showtime Festival: Jacksonville's African-American community takes center stage during this day-and-night festival; 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; A. Philip Randolph Park, 1096 A. Philip Randolph Blvd.; free general admission; $100 for VIP seating; www.supershowtime.com or 904 713-9201.

Snooper Bowl: Snoop Dogg: hip-hop legend, artistic impresario, pee-wee football coach. Snoop's youth all-star team will compete against a local all-star team in a game featuring celebrity coaches, a pre-game cheerleading clinic and a scheduled concert; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Raines High School, 3663 Raines Ave.; $6 and under; www.axcesssports.com or 904 301-3000.

Celebrity Flag Football Game: Doug Flutie, Roger Staubach and Willis McGahee are among the NFL greats scheduled to participate; 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Jacksonville University, 2800 University Boulevard North; www.sppsports.com or 847 673-0592.

XBox NFL Player Mania: Meet the players who served as the real-life inspiration for Madden 2004. Players such as Champ Bailey and ex-Buc John Lynch will sign autographs; noon to 6 p.m.; NFL Experience, JEA Park, downtown Jacksonville; call 866 TIX-4NFL for tickets; www.nflplayers.com/mania

Game Day Gridiron Celebrity Hoops VII: Charles Woodson, Jerome Bettis, Clinton Portis and other All-Pros hoop it up for charity with celebrities like Silk and Bone Crusher; 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Swisher Gym, Jacksonville University, 2800 University Boulevard North; $150 for a VIP/autograph session, $25 for lower level tickets, $12 for upper level seats; www.gamedaycelebrityhoops.com or 301 868-8856.

Pepsi Smash Super Bowl Concert Series: Tonight's headliners are Jacksonville homeboys Lynard Skynard; 8 p.m.; Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena, downtown Jacksonville; $39-$60; www.superbowl.com or 904 353-3309.

Sunday

Jacksonville Super Showtime Festival: Today's celebration, titled "Hallelujah Fest," will put an end to a week of celebrations as tailgaters count down to kickoff; 8 a.m. to 3 a.m.; A. Philip Randolph Park, 1096 A. Philip Randolph Blvd.; free general admission; $100 for VIP seating; www.supershowtime.com or 904 713-9201.

Flagler County Super Celebration Tailgate Party: Get fired up for kickoff with a chili cookoff and live music; noon to 5 p.m.; Dennis Quaid and the Sharks will perform, for some reason; Thunder Gulch Campground, 2131 N State Street U.S. 1; $2 for a chili tasting cup; www.flaglerpcchamber.org (386) 466-1441 or (386) 437-3135.

Players Gala: Gear up and wind down at this high-profile party benefitting NFL charities; 9 p.m. to 4 a.m.; Plush/Leopard Lounge, 84 University Blvd.; $100; VIP tickets also available; www.playersgala.com or 877 NFL-GALA.

-- Compiled by Jay Cridlin, cridlin@tampabay.com

[Last modified January 26, 2005, 11:49:05]