2017 Gasparilla Bowl Events: What To Know Before You Go

ST. PETE BEACH, FL – Once again, Pinellas County will be rocking ahead of the 2017 Gasparilla Bowl with events designed to welcome and entertain participating teams and their fans.

From white-sand beaches to charitable competitions, several events will fill the days before the big game between the Temple Owls and the FIU Panthers at Tropicana Field.

Here’s what fans and fellow fun-seekers need to know before you go to the events surrounding the 2017 Gasparilla Bowl:

2017 Team Invasion

The Temple and FIU head coaches and athletic directors will be welcomed to the Gasparilla Bowl by ESPN talent at the Hotel Zamora, 3701 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, on Thursday, Dec. 7 at 3 p.m.

Teams Arrivals

The two teams will be welcomed by their team hotels in downtown St. Petersburg on Sunday, Dec. 17. The Temple Owls are staying at the Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront, 333 First St. S., while the FIU Panthers are staying at the Renaissance Vinoy Resort, 501 Fifth Ave. NE.

All Children’s Hospital Visit

The teams will visit the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital on Sunday, Dec. 17, with players, coaches, mascots and cheerleaders bringing swag and spending time with the children.

2017 Fill the Bowl

Before the big game, the teams will compete for charity during the Fill the Bowl event on Sunday, Dec. 17. The teams will face each other to see who can pack the most weekend meals for children, along with participants from Boys & Girls Clubs. Feeding Tampa Bay provides food for the event, as well as donations from Gasparilla Bowl sponsors.

2017 Ambush Gardens

The teams travel to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, 10165 N. Malcom McKinley Drive, Tampa, for the day on Monday, Dec. 18 to see safaris and ride the roller coasters.

2017 Battle at the Beach

Treasure Island will play host this year to the 2017 Gasparilla Bowl Battle at the Beach on Tuesday, Dec. 19. The Owls and the Panthers players will face each other in friendly competitions while the schools’ bands will lay it on the line as well. Country music star and U.S. Army veteran Ryan Weaver will perform during the event. The free event will feature food, drinks and activities for all ages.

For parking and shuttle services for the 2017 Battle at the Beach, visit https://www.gasparillabowl.com/battle-beach-parking/.

2017 Fan Invasion on Central Avenue and ESPN VIP Pre-Game Tailgate

The party will continue the day of the big game at the most famous sports hang-out in St. Petersburg: Ferg’s Sports Bar & Grill. The Fan Invasion on Central Avenue, which is set for Thursday, Dec. 21 from 3 to 7 p.m., will celebrate Temple and FIU in the shadow of Tropicana Field. Fans, whether they are ticketholders or not, can enjoy interactive games and live music, including a second performance by Ryan Weaver. Ferg’s is located at 1320 Central Ave., St. Petersburg.

At the same time at Ferg’s, the ESPN VIP Pre-Game Tailgate will open. The VIP area features all you can eat and drink refreshments and ticketholders must be 21 years or older to enter. Tickets for the VIP area are available at http://purchase.tickets.com/buy/TicketPurchase?orgid=51009&pid=8501323&agency=TROP_FOOTBALL.

For more information on the 2017 Gasparilla Bowl, visit www.gasparillabowl.com.

Image and video via Tampa Bay Family YouTube channel