The world’s # 1 tourist destination will once again be the focus of the entire country as International Drive is host of Russell Athletic Bowl’s ACC and BIG 12 teams and the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl’s Big Ten and SEC teams.

 

Baylor vs. North Carolina at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2015, in the Russell Athletic Bowl. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN. Florida vs. Michigan at 1 p.m., Jan. 1, 2016, in the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl and is broadcast live on ABC.

 

Both games are played at the Orlando Citrus Bowl Stadium in downtown Orlando, the only city to annually host two top 20 bowl games in the same week. Tickets may be purchased through Ticketmaster outlets at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-745-3000. For additional information, visit www.fcsports.com.

 

The International Drive Business District is a proud partner of Florida Citrus Sports for the event-packed week. More than 100,000 fans are expected to attend the two games and stay on International Drive.

 

Activities open to the public include:

 

• Noon: Russell Athletic Bowl Kickoff Luncheon at Hilton Orlando (tickets must be purchased in advance)
• 4:00 p.m. Russell Athletic Bowl Pep Rally for North Carolina fans with coaches, bands and cheerleaders at I-Drive 360
• 4:45 p.m. Russell Athletic Bowl Pep Rally for Baylor fans with coaches, bands and cheerleaders at I-Drive 360  

 

• 11:00 a.m - 1:00 p.m. Russell Athletic Bowl Parade of Bands on Park Ave. in Winter Park
• 1:30 p.m. Russell Athletic Bowl FanFest on Tinker Field
• 2:30 p.m. Buffalo Wild Wings Tablegate Hospitality Tent at the Russel Athletic Bowl at Orlando Citrus Bowl Stadium - Tinker Field
• 5:30 p.m. Russell Athletic Bowl at Orlando Citrus Bowl Stadium – Baylor vs. North Carolina

 

• 11:00 a.m. Florida Citrus Parade in Downtown Orlando

 

• Noon: Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl Kickoff Luncheon at Rosen Shingle Creek (tickets must be purchased in advance)
• 2:30 p.m. Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl Pep Rally for Michigan fans with coaches, bands and cheerleaders at I-Drive 360
• 3:15 p.m. Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl Pep Rally for Florida fans with coaches, bands and cheerleaders at I-Drive 360

 

• 9:00 a.m. FanFest - The Official Hangout of the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl onTinker Field
• 10:00 a.m. Buffalo Wild Wings Tablegate Hospitality Tent at Orlando Citrus Bowl – Tinker Field
• 1:00 p.m. Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl at Orlando Citrus Bowl Stadium – Florida vs. Michigan

 

A Central Florida tradition, the Florida Citrus Parade will step off at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 30 in Downtown Orlando. The parade has grown to become one of the largest sports affiliated parades in the nation, an annual tradition that occurs each year between the Russell Athletic Bowl and the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl games. The parade is broadcast in over 75% of the TV markets in the United States as well as international locations such as Canada, the United Kingdom, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and the military syndicated channel AMERICA ONE.

 

In addition to its signature floats made of citrus fruit, the parade features spirited high school marching bands from throughout the nation, participating bowl game college marching bands, specialty units and other exciting performances. Upwards of 3,000 participants take part in this spectacular event. Reserve seating is available via Ticketmaster.com. The grandstand and broadcast area is located on Rosalind Avenue adjacent to Lake Eola. In addition, curbside seating is available all along the streets of Downtown Orlando. For more information, visit www.orlandocitrusparade.com. For information on planning a vacation to Orlando, visit www.internationaldriveorlando.com.

12/07/2015