Camping World Bowl 2017 Events: What To Know Before You Go

ORLANDO, FL – It’s getting close to the end of the year, and the weeklong celebration of college football for The City Beautiful and two of its bowl games.

To start the festivities, several events are scheduled to take place in Orlando ahead of the 2017 Camping World Bowl, which will see the Oklahoma State Cowboys take on the Virginia Tech Hokies on Thursday, Dec. 28.

Here’s what area residents and fans coming in for the game need to know before you go to any of the 2017 Camping World Bowl events:

2017 Camping World Bowl Pep Rallies

The 2017 Camping World Bowl will host pep rallies for the Oklahoma State and Virginia Tech fans at i-Drive 360 entertainment complex, located at 8001 International Drive, on Wednesday, Dec. 27. The pep rallies each will feature the schools’ bands and cheerleaders and the head coaches will make a special appearance. The Oklahoma State pep rally is scheduled for 4 p.m. while the Virginia Tech pep rally is scheduled for 4:45 p.m.

Other attractions at the i-Drive 360 complex include the Orlando Eye Ferris wheel, the Sea Life Aquarium, Arcade City and Madame Tussauds Orlando.

2017 Camping World Bowl Parade of Bands

The celebration will move to the northeast side of Orlando for the 2017 Camping World Bowl Parade of Bands on Thursday, Dec. 28 at 11 a.m. The Virginia Tech and Oklahoma State bands, cheerleaders and mascots will parade down Park Avenue in downtown Winter Park.

The parade will take off from the intersection of Park and Lyman avenues. After parading north on Park Avenue, the bands will turn west on Garfield Avenue and proceed to Central Park where they will perform the Bandtastic Game Day Preview.

2017 Camping World Bowl Fanfest

Ticketholders and fans of college football fun can head to Tinker Field, 287 S. Tampa Ave., to celebrate the 2017 Camping World Bowl Fanfest on Thursday, Dec. 28. Starting at 1:15 p.m., the official bowl pre-game tailgate party will feature interactive games, live entertainment, inflatables interactive displays face painters and more. Admission is free and food and beverages from a wide range of local vendors will be available for purchase.

2017 Camping World Hospitality Plaza

For fans looking for a more upscale pregame atmosphere, the 2017 Camping World Bowl Hospitality Plaza will open at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 28 at Tinker Field. The plaza features a climate-controlled VIP area featuring lounge seating and all-inclusive food and beverages. The team marching bands will appear to perform.

Tickets are $85 and are available at https://oss.ticketmaster.com/aps/fcs/EN/buy/quickbuy/317.

For more information, visit www.campingworldbowl.com.

Image and video via Florida Citrus Sports YouTube channel