Super Bowl XXXIX: In Our Own
Backyard!
Story by Evelyn French
Football season is coming to an end, but not before the last big game of the year,
the Super Bowl, is played. Jacksonville will be hosting the most anticipated game of the
year, and Amelia Island gets to play a big role in the festivities as well.
Super Bowl XXXIX will be played on February 6, 2005 at Alltel
Stadium.
After trying for many years, Jacksonville is finally getting the chance to host the Super
Bowl.
Many local residents and business owners will participate in the enjoyment, events, and
profits of the big game being held so close to Amelia Island. According to a 2003 study by
Marketing Information Masters, the estimated economic impact on San Diego from hosting
Super Bowl XXXVII was $366.86 million. No one knows the economic impact the game will have
on Amelia Island just yet, but it should definitely be a very positive experience.
Planned activities on Amelia Island for the Super Bowl include:
January 31: American Beach 70th Anniversary Founding Day Celebration.
Ceremony commemorating American Beach founders and descendants. Special screenings of
the film The Beach Lady. Location and times to be announced. Presented by the A.L.
Lewis Historical Society of American Beach to benefit the American Beach Museum. For more
information and times of event call the Chamber at 261-3248.
February 4 & 5: Fernandina Super Shellfish Feast and Super Shrimp Boat Race.
City Lot A, Foot of Centre Street.
A feast of freshly prepared shellfish dishes, featuring shrimp, spiny lobster, stone crab,
blue crab, steamed clams, oysters and more. Super Hermit Crab Races and Super Shrimp Boat
Races (Saturday Only) displaying NFL team colors. Entertainment to include Blue Grass
Music by local groups of musicians. Event presented by the Shrimp Producers Association
and the AIFBY Chamber of Commerce. Friday, Feb. 4th, 5 to 9 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 5th,
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
February 5: 2nd Annual Pirates on the Run 10K. Fernandina Beach City Hall.
8:30 a.m. For more information, call Ned Tyson at (904) 277-0050.
February 6: Art in the Afternoon. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. City Lot A, Foot of
Centre Street. Local artisans and crafters.
Super Island Shuttle transportation service will also be provided. Services of three
trolleys at 30-minute intervals will provide an island-wide loop with stops at major
business clusters. Hours of operation are as follows:
Friday Feb. 4th: 11 a.m. - 2 a.m.
Saturday Feb. 5th: 11 a.m. - 2 a.m.
Sunday Feb. 6th: 11 a.m. - 2 a.m.
Monday Feb. 7th: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
For additional information call the Chamber of Commerce at 261-3248.
One local business that will play a key role during Super Bowl Week is the Amelia Island
Plantation. According to Laura Coggin, Public Relations Manager for the Amelia Island
Plantation, "we are expecting estimates over 1,000, we have 650 accommodations on
property with some being 1,2, and 3 bedroom villas. Most of them are taken up by the
NFL." In addition to housing many people involved with the big game, Amelia Island
Plantation will also host the NFL Charities Golf Tournament, an invitation-only event.
Well-known resorts are not the only places on Amelia Island being sought after. Rooms at
local bed and breakfast inns are also being gobbled up by visitors brought on by the Super
Bowl frenzy. David Caples, owner of the Elizabeth Point Lodge, is one of many local
innkeepers who are excited to be part of the upcoming events. "We are looking forward
to it," says Caples. "The Super Bowl will draw a lot of attention on us (Amelia
Island) now and for many, many years to come. The positive impact we will get from that
weekend will last for a long time." Mr. Caples also said they had a pending agreement
with the NFL, and along with the help of the Jacksonville Host Committee and their
clients, the entire inn will be privately rented out from Thursday through Monday.
There are many other events scheduled for the greater Jacksonville area during the week
leading up to the Super Bowl. Just because you don't have a ticket to the game doesn't
mean you can't enjoy the Super Bowl experience.
The NFL Experience is open to the public along with a ticket fee of approximately $10.
"It's a family fun-filled interactive football theme park. Events will begin the
weekend before Super Bowl and follow through to the weekend of the Super Bowl," says
Heather Surface of the Jacksonville Super Bowl Host Committee.
Fans of all ages will enjoy the NFL Experience,
a fun-filled interactive football theme park.
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There will also be lots of live music and entertainment at several
locations in downtown Jacksonville. Just outside Alltel Stadium, guests will be able to
enjoy the Times-Union Super Fest, a themed entertainment area featuring live entertainment
on multiple outdoor stages, food and beverage tents and merchandise vendors.
One of the unique aspects of this year's Super Bowl is that cruise ships will be docked
along the St. John's River in order to provide more lodging rooms close to Alltel Stadium.
Three cruise lines will bring five ships to Jacksonville. All of the ships are four or
five-star quality and will serve as floating hotels along the river. Most ships will be
docked within two miles of the stadium and will arrive on Thursday, February 3, and are
scheduled to depart on Monday, February 7. The cruise ships will provide accommodations
for more than 7,000 people.
Area residents and businesses will be jumping for joy
if the hometown team makes the Super Bowl.
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Amelia Island is getting worldwide attention due to the vast amount
of coverage and publicity that comes along with a Super Bowl game. Visitors and locals
alike should enjoy this history-making moment and take in all the fun, excitement,
football that Super Bowl XXXIX has to offer.
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