Need to Know Info for Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Dec. 28, 2017 – Downtown Jacksonville is coming alive to close out 2017 with an expanded lineup of events as the TaxSlayer Bowl Committee prepares to host the 73rd annual TaxSlayer Bowl. The December 30th matchup between Louisville and Mississippi State takes place Saturday at 12 p.m. at EverBank Field, with a wave of activity leading up to and following the game.

PEP RALLY

The festivities begin Friday with Pep Rallies at the Jacksonville Landing - Louisville’s pep rally begins at 5:00 p.m. at the Jacksonville Landing, followed by Mississippi State’s at 6:30 p.m.

SECURITY

Fans attending the TaxSlayer Bowl Saturday should note that all entrants will be required to enter the gates through a metal detector. No food or drink will be permitted from outside of the stadium. The NFL Clear Bag policy will be in place for the TaxSlayer Bowl. Complimentary clear bags are available at all Fan Information Booths and Will Call locations. Any bags measuring 12x6x12 or smaller may be carried into the facility. Ticketholders are permitted to bring seat cushions and blankets inside. Cowbells will be permitted inside the stadium.

PARKING?

Parking is available on gameday for $30 in Lots E, H, K, X, Y and Z. Stadium lots will open at 8 a.m.

A drop-off area will be available on both the east and west side of the stadium on gameday for persons with disabilities. Patrons should enter Lot C or Lot M to access the drop-off area.

The Jacksonville Transportation Authority is offering the Gameday Xpress for the game. Parking is complimentary in one of several convenient lots, with direct routes to the stadium. Shuttle passes will be available on-site for purchase. The Gameday Xpress will begin at 9 a.m. and continues until one hour after the game.

Downtown locations ($8 shuttle pass):

· Convention Center Lot: 1005 Forsyth Street

· Kings Avenue Parking Garage: 1003 Kings Avenue

· The Jacksonville Landing: Hogan Street between Water and Bay (shuttle service only)

Suburban locations ($13 shuttle pass):

· Beaches Lot: Wingate Park, 277 Penman Road S., Jacksonville Beach

· Southside Lot (JTB): 7020 Philips Highway

· Armsdale Park-n-Ride: 3191 Armsdale Road

Gameday Xpress passes can be purchased in advance online at www.jtafla.com or via the MyJTA mobile app.

The Skyway will have extended hours for the TaxSlayer Bowl and New Year’s Eve festivities. *Please note: Skyway service over the Acosta Bridge will be suspended during the fireworks show for the Light Boat Parade and New Year’s Eve. Due to construction, the Convention Center and the Jefferson Street Skyway Stations are closed.

The Skyway schedule is as follows:

· Friday, Dec. 29: 6 a.m. – 2 a.m.

· Saturday, Dec. 30 (Game Day): 9 a.m. – 12 a.m.*

· Sunday, Dec. 31: 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.*

The St. John’s River Taxi is offering extended hours for the TaxSlayer Bowl. The River Taxi will be available on gameday beginning at 8 a.m.and will continue until 11:00 p.m. TaxSlayer Bowl Round-trip Stadium Service is available for $10 cash per person. The TaxSlayer Bowl All Day Unlimited Pass (all stops) is $20 cash per person. Visit rivertaxiandtours.com for additional information.

Traffic patterns will change before, during and following the game. The TaxSlayer Bowl Committee encourages anyone traveling to the stadium for the game to plan ahead and leave extra time for increased traffic downtown.

POST-GAME

Following the TaxSlayer Bowl, the annual Jacksonville Light Boat Parade will kick-off at 7:30 pm along the St. Johns River. This year’s parade will begin at Metropolitan Park and parade throughout Downtown making the turn at the Fuller Warren Bridge. Locals are encouraged to join us to view the parade from the Southbank River Walk, Friendship Park or Sidney J. Gefen Park in Brooklyn. There is also an official viewing station at the Jacksonville Landing. The iconic fireworks including the waterfall from the Main Street Bridge will be at 9:30 p.m.

Don’t miss the VyStar 5K New Year’s Eve run on Dec. 31 at 2:00 pm at The Jacksonville Landing. This annual run supports Wolfson Children’s Hospital through its “Run for a Child” campaign. Runners may support “Run for a Child” by making a $10 donation to Wolfson Children’s Hospital – every donor will receive a red arm band for a child who is a patient at Wolfson Children’s Hospital. When you cross the finish line of the VyStar 5K New Year’s Eve run, you will know that every step you ran is helping to raise funds to care for sick and injured children. Register at 1stplacesports.com or on-site on race day.

For more information on the TaxSlayer Bowl or ancillary events, visit www.taxslayerbowl.com.