It’s the busiest day of the fall in downtown Jacksonville when the Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair coincides with a Jacksonville Jaguars home game at EverBank Stadium and the defending national champion Florida Gators basketball team playing Miami at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena.
Now, throw in the ongoing construction for the “Stadium of the Future,” and it’s going to be a hectic Sunday on Nov. 16 when the fair opens at noon, the Jaguars (5-4) play host to the Los Angeles Chargers (7-3) at EverBank Stadium (1 p.m., CBS) and the Gators play the Hurricanes at 8:30 p.m.
Fans are encouraged to do their part by arriving early and having their mobile tickets and parking passes downloaded and ready to scan upon arrival. Stadium parking lots will open four hours before kickoff.
Stadium navigation reminders for Jaguars fans
Guests in general admission seating should access the main concourse for full 360-degree circulation around the stadium since the plaza level is no longer continuous from gate to gate.
Some gate entries have been adjusted; ticket holders are asked to view the recommended gate entry on their mobile ticket for each game to access the most direct route to a seat location.
Guests should exit the gate closest to their transportation. The Gallagher East and West Club gates can be accessed only by ticket holders with Club seats this season.
Mobility assistance
Fans with mobility issues can request help near each stadium gate. A game day shuttle will begin three hours before kickoff (10 a.m.) to pick up fans in Lot S, X, Z, and Metropolitan Park. The service runs three hours prior to kickoff and one hour after the end of each game.
How will the fair impact the Jaguars game?
The Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair is open from noon to 10 p.m. on Sunday. Fans can attend the fair free of charge on Sunday by showing their Jaguars game ticket. This will be the final year the Fair will be downtown.
Lot P and the Fairgrounds lot will be closed, and sections of Beaver, Franklin, Duval and Georgia Streets will be impassable.
What are the Fan Entertain Zone activities?
The Fan Entertainment Zone (FEZ), located on the southwest plaza level adjacent to Daily’s Place, has more than 20 activations to explore, including performances from the entertainment groups, face painting and photo opportunities. Fans can experience the activities by entering the stadium through Gates 1, 4 and 7 or via the main concourse level to the escalators near the Bud Light Zone to the plaza level beginning three hours prior to each home game.
‘Duuuval’ Designs
The first 300 fans can get their complimentary limited-edition game day posters from Florida artists in the FEZ pre-kick off. Each artist selected will be in the FEZ to meet fans and sign their work which is created specifically with the game theme or Jaguars opponent in mind.
This week’s poster comes from Jacksonville-based artist Asher Jones. The artwork displays WR Brian Thomas Jr., DE Travon Walker and RB Travis Etienne Jr. alongside a fierce jaguar. The jaguar bites into a football, displaying its aggressive mentality. An American flag waves in the background, commemorating the NFL’s Salute to Service game which it represents.
Jaguars Salute to Service Game
The game will serve as the Jaguars’ “Salute to Service” game, with military-inspired activations:
Fans can test their strength and endurance at the Jaguars Army Combine with deadlifts, weighted sleds, medicine balls, kettlebells and pull-up bars.
The U.S. Navy Band Southeast will perform on the Daily’s Place stage.
Before the game, the Jaguars will recognize the winning team of the Battle of the Branches flag football tournament. The Jaguars Foundation hosted the competition during the past week, with 16 teams competing. The championship game will be played on Saturday. The Jaguars have donated over 3,000 tickets to Battle of the Branches competitors, Department of Defense staff, veterans, active-duty military members and military families.
The Jaguars will host an Oath of Enlistment Ceremony at halftime, with more than 200 recruits from all branches of the military sworn in by Brigadier Gen. Maurice Barnett.
Following the Oath of Enlistment, fans will be asked to stand and raise their “I Support” signs in support of their loved ones who are currently serving or have served in the U.S. Armed Forces as well as the newest enlistees as part of the NFL’s Salute to Service initiative. Customizable “I Support” signs will be available for fans at all gates upon entry to EverBank Stadium and at all Guest Services booths throughout the stadium.
Uniform combination
The Jaguars will wear teal jerseys, teal pants and black socks.
First ‘Duuuval’
The First “Duuuval” will be delivered by Rodney Pendergrass Jr. Over a 20-year career with the U.S. Air Force, Pendergrass Jr. flew 104 missions during Operation Desert Storm. He continued his service with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as an aviation enforcement agent and retired in August after 49 years of service.
Community champion of the game
Kathy Signorile will be honored as the Community Champion of the Game during the third quarter. Signorile is the founder and President of St. Michael’s Soldiers, a non-profit dedicated to providing support for deployed soldiers and their families.
Game day Patriotism
The National Anthem will be performed by Air Force Master Sergeant (ret.) Nalani Quintello, a contestant on Season 14 of American Idol. She withdrew from the competition to Air Force and has traveled to several countries, performing at international functions to troops stationed abroad.
Jonah Abenchuchen, a student from the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind, will sign for the hearing-impaired.
The Colors will be presented by the Bishop Kenny High School NJROTC. The American Flag will be held by Jaguars Season Ticket Members.
Missile Technician Senior Chief Petty Officer Simah Bropleh will be the Bell Ringer of the game. He joined the Navy in 2001 and has completed tours on multiple vessels and submarines. He currently serves as Branch LCPO at the Strategic Weapons System Ashore Integrated Test Facility at Cape Canaveral.
Melissa Fulmore-Hardwick will be the Veteran of the Game. She served in the U.S. Army, going from an enlisted soldier to an officer. She is now a global executive, leading a workforce initiative in 10 countries dedicated to creating pathways for individuals with barriers to employment.
The flyover will be conducted by the 87th Flying Training Squadron, based in Laughlin Air Force Base in Texas. The Squadron is responsible for training the next generation of Fighter and Bomber pilots for U.S. and coalition partners in the T-38C before they continue to future training.
Jaguars fan reminders
Jaguars-Chargers game day timeline
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars vs. Chargers, Florida Gators hoops, Jacksonville Fair Gator make for busy Sunday
Reporting by Garry Smits, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
