Buckeyes celebrate Gator Bowl with activities in Jacksonville

As Ohio State prepares for the 2012 Gator Bowl against the University of Florida, media are invited to cover these events that capture the excitement of bowl game festivities.

Saturday, December 31, 2011

4 a.m.
Ohio State University Marching Band departs Steinbrenner Band Center for Rickenbacker Airport

3 p.m.
Ohio State University Marching Band marches in Gator Bowl Parade
Downtown Jacksonville

Sunday, January 1, 2012
9 a.m. – 10:30 am
Ohio State University Marching Band Public Rehearsal
Nease High School, 10550 Ray Road, Ponte Vedra Beach, 32081
The band welcomes the public and OSU Alumni and friends to its traditional day-before-the-game open rehearsal.

12:15 – 2:30 p.m.
University Service Project
Gateway to Heaven Christian Center, 5003 Norwood Ave., Jacksonville

Buckeye Nation will be paying forward at the Gator Bowl. As in past years, Ohio State is teaming up with their bowl opponent to benefit the host community. The university is joining the University of Florida to work with the Jacksonville-based organization War on Poverty http://waronpoverty.org/. This organization helps build communities in and around Jacksonville by providing services and nutrition, financial, homeownership and business education.

Beginning at 12:30 p.m., students and staff from Ohio State and Florida will make patio gardening kits and healthy snack packs for community members. At 1:45 p.m., volunteers will distribute and show community members how to use the patio gardens and snack packs.

Volunteers include Brutus Buckeye and the Ohio State cheerleaders.

4 – 5 p.m.
Buckeye Bash pep rally @ New Year's Day Festival http://gatorbowl.com/?p=1869/
4663 River City Drive, Jacksonville
The New Year's Day Festival features the official Gator Bowl sponsored team pep rallies. Ohio State will be featured at 4 p.m. with the Ohio State Marching Band, cheerleaders, Brutus, Archie Griffin and other Ohio State personalities.

Monday, January 2, 2012

11:45 a.m.
Ohio State Marching Band performance at Gator Bowl Budweiser Tailgate

1 p.m.
67th TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl Game
Ohio State Marching Band halftime performance with double Script Ohio
The band's halftime show demonstrates the power of brass and percussion with music from Mousoursky's Great Gate of Kiev, before concluding with a double Script Ohio to both sides of the field. Senior sousaphone players Jon Lampley from Tallmadge (home side) and Peter Droll of Upper Sandusky will be the "I-dotters."