MIAMI (WSVN) - The Super Bowl is still nearly a week away, but you wouldn’t know that walking through Bayfront Park.
Super Bowl Live, a free event in the heart of downtown Miami, is stretching the biggest night in sports and entertainment into one whole week, as the countdown continues to the big game.
From rock climbing to Instagramming to eating and drinking to live music, fans have been flocking to Bayfront Park since Saturday to take part in the family-friendly fun.
“There’s the palm tree rock climbing wall, which has been incredibly popular. Where else in Miami would you climb a palm tree?” said Randi Freeman, executive producer of Super Bowl Live.
“We enjoy the music, the drinks. The girls play around,” said a woman who brought her family on Sunday.
“There’s a bunch of free stuff and cool games,” said a boy.
A section of the venue, made to resemble a gridiron, celebrates moments in Miami Super Bowl history.
Another section, called Tailgate Town, features culinary demonstrations by celebrity chefs.
“In Tailgate Town, which is a great feature for families and fans, we have chefs competing with athletes,” said Freeman, “and together, they’re creating great tailgate recipes for everyone to enjoy. We have recipe cards that are going to fans, so they can have them on their refrigerators way after the game goes by.”
Fans are flocking from near and far. Cameron Lee said he spotted the lively crowds while out on a walk.
“I just came for sightseeing. I was walking, I saw this. It was pretty cool,” he said.
“You have the NFL vibe, a bunch of people from all over, really, the world,” said Shannon McCullen.
James Herlango, Ben Clifford and Andrew Fraser, who are visiting Miami from London, said they’re impressed by the scale of the event.
When asked if he’s in town for the Super Bowl, Herlango replied, “Absolutely. Well, and the girls as well, but yeah, Super Bowl, too.”
“Well, we’re going to the fan box to see all the rest of the fans, to see the atmosphere and hopefully meet some of the experts,” said Clifford. “I was hoping to meet, like, Tom Brady and all that, but I haven’t seen him around.”
“Obviously, I’m here for Super Bowl: 50% Super Bowl, 50% percent Will Smith influence,” said Fraser.
“Welcome to Miami,” chimed in Herlango.
The San Francisco 49ers will be taking on the Kansas City Chiefs at Hard Rock Stadium Feb. 2. This is the 11th time South Florida is hosting the Super Bowl.
Revelers who came to Super Bowl Live were split down the middle when asked to predict the winner.
“Well, it would have been the Patriots, but I’m going with the 49ers, so they have to win,” said a woman.
“Chiefs are gonna bring another championship home. That’s all I’ve got to say,” said St. Louis visitor Tyler Brockman.
Even Hall of Famer Jason Taylor stopped by with his prediction as to who will emerge triumphant in next Sunday’s game.
“Right now, I’m probably going to say Kansas City. [Patrick] Mahomes is so dynamic. They have so many weapons offensively,” he said.
Taylor admitted he is bitter he never got to play in the big game, but he has seen it live.
“I’ve been to one, for a half. That’s when I was inducted into the Hall of Fame,” he said.
He paused, then added, “Actually, I made it through the whole game.”
No matter who they’re rooting for, revelers agreed nobody does football like the 305.
“It’s a great atmosphere for both families and professionally. It’s just a great time to be down here, great city,” said Brockman.
“Because we have different races, different cultures. It’s fun because we love the sport,” said Gemma Cesbeden.
“The fact that it’s a melting pot and people from all over the world watches the Super Bowl, so it’s the perfect spot to be, and I’m really grateful that it is,” said Florian Khaliqui.
Football festivities will also be going down on South Beach at Lummus Park, where Fox Sports and 7News will be broadcasting live leading up to the big game.
Revelers at Super Bowl Live were also reflecting on the life and career of NBA legend Kobe Bryant, who was killed in a helicopter crash in California along with his 13-year-old daughter and seven other victims, Sunday morning.
As a tribute to the longtime Los Angeles Lakers player, organizers lit up the main Super Bowl 54 sculpture in purple and gold, his team’s colors, Sunday night.
The first live concert kicked off at 5 p.m., and Monday’s festivities wrapped up at 9 p.m. Gates are scheduled to open at 4 p.m. on Tuesday.
Super Bowl Live is going to be open through Super Bowl Sunday, except for Wednesday. Hours vary day by day. For more information, click here.
WSVN’s coverage of Super Bowl 54 will begin Sunday at 8 a.m. on Today in Florida.
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