The game at Alltel Stadium - seating capacity 73,000 - is already a
sellout, with more than 20,000 tickets sold by the WVU Ticket Office
alone. Fans are also gobbling up bowl travel packages by air and coach,
making the destination a "hot" one for the new year.
Located in the heart of the city at 1515 Prudential Drive, the Radisson
Riverwalk is near Jacksonville Landing, a popular shopping and dining
complex near St. John's River.
The Fan Center - a traditional gathering and meeting spot for WVU fans
- will operate in the Radisson Hotel ballrooms from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 30, and from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31.
The event will feature a "Mountaineer Spin" game show with prizes; a
WVU Football Toss; appearances by the WVU Pep Band and cheerleaders at
12:30 p.m. Dec. 31; raffles of autographed footballs and other prizes,
exclusive giveaways and mementoes; and much more. The Fan Center is
sponsored by WVU Institutional Advancement in conjunction with Verizon,
United Bank and Coca-Cola.
Zide's Sports Shop will be setting up a "Mountaineer Market" at the Fan
Center to sell exclusive WVU merchandise, and the Gator Bowl will also
have a shop there for those interested in purchasing official bowl
merchandise, including Gator Bowl pins. Because of an exclusive
arrangement, WVU will not be able to produce a commemorative bowl pin
this year, according to officials.
After the Fan Center closes on the afternoon of Dec. 31, fans are
encouraged to join the team, coaches, band, cheerleaders and mascot at
the WVU Gator Bowl Big East Pep Rally at 1:30 p.m. at Jacksonville
Landing.
After getting pumped, catch the Gator Bowl Parade at 3 p.m. - also in
Downtown Jacksonville. WVU's "Pride of West Virginia" Mountaineer
Marching Band will join other college and high school bands, colorful
floats and specialty units in this beach-themed parade.
Back at the Radisson Riverwalk Hotel, from 7-8 p.m., fans are invited
to watch a live broadcast of the WVU sports show Mountaineer Magazine
hosted by Tony Caridi and Laura Baker. The show will air from the
boardwalk outside of the hotel.
>From 8-11 p.m., the Radisson Riverwalk Ballrooms will be transformed
into a festive New Year's Eve bash called "Mountaineers in Paradise,"
featuring live music by "Paradise," one of Central Florida's premiere
musical groups, plus hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar, party favors and island
fun. The event is sponsored by the WVU Alumni Association in cooperation
with National Travel.
The special event is free for fans traveling on official Alumni
Association-sponsored packages, and costs $25 per person for others. A
maximum of six admissions can be purchased per person; a $2 handling fee
will be charged per order. Reservations and payment must be made in
advance of event by credit card (Mastercard or Visa). To register for
the New Year's "Mountaineers in Paradise" event, call 1-866-988-2586
ext. 17 from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday until the event sells
out. No tickets will be sold on the day of the event.
The party ends at 11 p.m. so that fans can watch the spectacular Gator
Bowl fireworks display that lights up the city skyline beginning at
midnight.
On game day morning, Jan. 1, from 9:30 a.m.-noon, WVU fans are invited
to the Budweiser Tailgate Party, the official tailgate party of the
Toyota Gator Bowl, at the Jacksonville Fairgrounds adjacent to Alltel
Stadium.
"Mountaineer Station" is the location for WVU camaraderie at the Gator
Bowl's official tailgate party, according to Steve Douglas, executive
director of the WVU Alumni Association.
"Join in the fun as thousands of Mountaineer fans invade the Budweiser
Tailgate Party, featuring live musical performances, great food and
drink concessions, plus interactive games," Douglas said.
For admission to Mountaineer Station and the Tailgate Party, Douglas
said fans will need to purchase "THE PATCH," the official souvenir of
the Toyota Gator Bowl. Each "PATCH" is $10, plus a $2 handling fee per
order. Mountaineer fans can purchase "THE PATCH" in advance by calling
1-866-988-2586 ext. 17, or stop by the alumni table at the Mountaineer
Fan Center at the Radisson Dec. 30-31, while supplies last. Advance
payment must be made by credit card (Mastercard or Visa).
In addition to entrance to the tailgate, Douglas said "THE PATCH"
entitles fans to many Jacksonville-area discounts at most eateries and
shops and is a nice souvenir item on its own.
Of course, no WVU bowl appearance would be complete without the WVU
marching band, "The Pride of West Virginia." The band is nationally
renowned, having won the 1997 John Philip Sousa Foundation's Sudler
Trophy, considered the Heisman Trophy for marching bands.
The band, which has more than 300 members, leaves Morgantown the
evening of Dec. 28 for the Holiday Inn Sunspree at Jacksonville Beach
and will have a busy schedule during its stay in the Sunshine State,
said John Hendricks, director.
Besides appearances in the Big East Pep Rally and Gator Bowl Parade,
the unit will perform at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom at 10 a.m.
Dec. 30, at the game day tailgate party, and during pre-game and
halftime activities of the game.