GAINESVILLE, Fla. – It's going to be a sun's-out, fun Saturday on April 14 for the 2018 Orange & Blue Game, presented by Sunniland. Gator Nation has been encouraged to "Pack The Swamp" as new head coach Dan Mullen ushers in a new era of Florida football at 3 p.m. ET on that day. With free admission and the game being played on a Saturday afternoon for the first time since 2015, fans can expect to experience a real Gators game day. The North lawn outside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium will feature many new and renovated ideas from previous years:
- Gator Walk
- Former players and their families will participate in Gator Walk with team at 1 p.m.
- Gator Walk Village
- Pep rally at the end of Gator Walk with Coach Mullen addressing the crowd
- Tailgate Guys tents in the North Endzone
- BUBBA Burger Fan Fest
- Gator Walk Garden
- Controlled environment with appropriate oversight that includes the sale of national brand and local beer options
- Opens at noon and closes at 2:45 p.m.
- Controlled environment with appropriate oversight that includes the sale of national brand and local beer options
- Big Green Egg Cookoff Contest
- Great Gator Yard Sale of Gator Gear
- Located at Gate 9
- Food Trucks (listed below) Located on the North end of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium will open at noon
- Soup to Nuts; Mayflower Cellars; Latin American Fusion; Dank Cakes; Kona Ice; Monsta Lobsta
Meanwhile inside The Swamp during the game, fans are encouraged to participate & help create a fall gameday atmosphere:
- The Pride of Sunshine
- Florida's Marching Band will be in attendance and play throughout the game from the stands
- Davis Chevrolet Football Challenge Halftime Contest
- One lucky fan will be selected to participate, but they must enter during at Fan Fest under the Davis Chevrolet tent.
- That individual will throw balls at a target located in the bed of the Silverado to win various prizes. If he or she hits it from the final distance, than they will win the vehicle.
- Prize contest rules can be found here.
- Halftime Student Contest
- Entry Process:
- The first ten student groups to register will be granted a team. In addition, two alternates will be selected.
- Check-In:
- If selected, that group must check-in at a table located behind Section A. The entire student group must be present in order to check-in and participate.
- That process will begin with eight minutes left in the second quarter.
- If selected, that group must check-in at a table located behind Section A. The entire student group must be present in order to check-in and participate.
- Check-In:
- The first ten student groups to register will be granted a team. In addition, two alternates will be selected.
- Contests Include:
- Dizzy Bat Race - Middle North Starting at 10 Yard Line
- Water Balloon Toss – Northwest Corner
- Obstacle Course – Southwest Corner
- Punt Contest – Northeast Corner
- All contestants will compete the punt contest individually, as a Gators Football Punter will kick a ball from the back of the Northeast Endzone to the waiting contestant at the 30 yard line. If the contestant catches the punt, they will earn 10 points.
- Scoring:
- The Top 3 finishers on each event will earn the following number of points for their team.
- 3rd: 5 points
- 2nd: 8 points
- 1st: 10 points
- Entry Process:
- The Gators will enter the field for the game through the SEZ tunnel just as they would for a game in the fall
- The teams will have split sidelines with #TeamOrange on one sideline & #TeamBlue on the other
- The format of the game will be four quarters, with the first half running exactly like a regular game
- The second half will feature a running clock in order to finish the contest by 5 p.m.
- Fans wanting a little extra from their trip to the Swamp can walk the field following the game through Gator Upgrades