asheville.com news: Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas at Spartanburg’s Gibbs Stadium December 17

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Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas at Spartanburg’s Gibbs Stadium Saturday

Western North Carolina loves its football – little wonder, considering the success of so many area high schools and colleges that consistently excel at such high levels of competition. Gibbs Stadium at Wofford College in Spartanburg will be the site of the 2005 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas, the prestigious high school all-star football game that pits the best of South Carolina against the best of North Carolina, on Saturday, December 17. Now in its sixty-ninth year, the weekend has donated more than $63.1 million dollars to the Greenville, SC Unit of the Shriners Hostpial for Children, and 21 other Shriners Hospitals across the nation.

The mountains can be proud of the local gridiron excellence that will be evident in this year’s game. The Shrine Bowl is a highly prized opportunity for the Carolina’s best high school football players to shine. Among Western North Carolina’s best players who made the roster in this year’s Shrine Bowl are Josh Baker of T.C. Roberson, and Crezdon Butler and Johnny White of Asheville High.

The game is clearly the highlight of the weekend, but game-goers can enjoy an array of events - including a parade, FanFest, and luncheon - before the players take to the field. Check out the schedule below and make plans now!

Thursday, December 15

Shrine Bowl Banquet at the Spartanburg Marriott, 7 p.m. Tickets are $35 each and can be purchased from the Shrine Bowl office (1-800-648-2695). The guest speaker is Steve Spurrier, head coach of the University of South Carolina.

Friday, December 16

Touchdown/Tip-off Club luncheon from noon to 1:30 p.m. Speakers include Tommy Bowden (Clemson’s Head Football Coach), Steve Spurrier (South Carolina’s Head Football Coach) and Mike Ayers (Wofford’s Head Football Coach). Cost is $25 and tickets can be purchased at: the Marriott, Hot Spots, Pic-A-Book, Merrill Lynch, Arthur State Banks, Founder’s Federal Credit Union, Kapasi Glass, First National Bank, Mutt’s BBQ and Action Sports of Boiling Springs.
Fan Fest at Barnet Park from 3-8 p.m., admission is FREE. This event will have live music, games, rides, food, a chance to meet the Shrine Bowl players and it will end with fireworks. Santa will also make an appearance!

Saturday, December 17

Shrine Bowl Christmas Parade, 10:30 a.m., along Church Street. Enjoy this Shrine Bowl tradition with marching bands, funny cars, clowns and the Shrine Bowl king and queen.
Shrine Bowl Game, 1 p.m. kickoff at Gibbs Stadium at Wofford College. Reserved tickets are $20, general admission are $10 in advance and $15 the day of the game. Tickets are available from First Citizens Bank (Henry Street and Boiling Springs Road), Tax Savers (1477 Asheville Hwy.) and Little Caesars Pizza. Expect some familiar faces: players, cheerleaders, and bands from NC and SC high schools will be participating. Buy your tickets now so you can walk right into the game.

Each year, participating players and coaches travel to the Greenville, SC Shriners Hospital, where they give presents to and play with the children, many of whom have no arms or legs or are burned over large portions of their bodies. The Shrine Bowl has a tremendous effect on the lives of patients and participants alike. For more information, including player rosters and a history of the game, or to make a donation to help the Shriners in their work, visit www.shrine-bowl.com.

(Image provided by Shrine-Bowl.com.)