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What fans can expect this weekend in Tampa, the Super Bowl city

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Updated  February 5, 2021 12:33pm EST
Super Bowl in Tampa
FOX 13 News

Super Bowl weekend roundup

Kellie Cowan reports

TAMPA, Fla. - The countdown ticks lower and the excitement inches higher as the Super Bowl is now just two days away. Fans have begun arriving from across the country and festivities are picking up.

Whether you’re an NFL history buff, a lover of live music, or just searching for an event to enjoy, look no further than the Riverwalk this weekend. The official NFL Super Bowl Experience will be in full swing with their three NFL zones.

Julian B. Lane Park is the place where fans can run, kick and pass like a pro, see the Lombardi Trophy, and find every Super Bowl ring ever made -- but that’s also the only area that’s by reservation only and, unfortunately, if you don’t already have one you won’t be able to get in because they’ve been fully booked for a while now.

However, if you don’t have a reservation, there is plenty to check out on the other side of the river at Armature Works, Curtis Hixon Park -- the Technology Village just south of the Kennedy Bridge -- and at Sparkman Wharf. There will be food trucks, live music, DJs and places to shop for official Super Bowl merchandise.

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Captain Sarah Kociuba has a pretty impressive resume. She’s a B-2 instructor pilot, has flown more than 90 combat missions, and has more than 1,700 flying hours in five different aircraft.

Once the sun goes down, you’ll want to get down to the Tampa Convention Center and Sail Pavilion area where the Jose Gasparilla pirate ship will light up the skies around Tampa Bay with four fireworks and laser light shows each night. They go off hourly both tonight and Saturday starting at 6:55 p.m.

Remember, there’s a very convenient way to check it all out. The Super Bowl shuttle is making nine stops around downtown and Tampa Heights. It’ll connect you to four different parking areas, as well as all of the NFL experience zones. It operates from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. through Feb. 6.

Stops include:

  • Tampa Streetcar (Whiting St, just west of Franklin St)
  • Tampa Theatre (Florida Ave, just north of Twiggs St)
  • Interstate 2-25 (Florida Ave, just north of Scott St)
  • Tampa Heights (7th Ave, just west of Franklin St)
  • Water Works Park (Highland Ave, just south of 7th Ave)
  • Julian B Lane Riverfront Park (Doyle Carlton Dr, just north of Laurel St)
  • Arts District (Doyle Carlton Dr, just north of Macinnes Place)
  • Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park (Tampa St, just north of Polk St)
  • Downtown (Tampa St, just south of Kennedy Blvd)

Just remember if you’re looking to get into one of those official NFL Experience zones, entry is free but you will need to download the NFL OnePass App to choose your timeslot.

Also, whether you’re inside or outside, you will need a mask. They are required outdoors in the following areas:

  • Tampa Riverwalk
  • Around and inside the Raymond James Stadium
  • Ybor City Historic District
  • South Howard Commercial Overlay District
  • Central Business District
  • Channel District.