12/1/2003 - Football
Free Army-Navy Events In Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA OFFERS FREE PUBLIC EVENTS TO CELEBRATE THE ARMY/NAVY GAME
PHILADELPHIA, PA?November 20, 2003? This year's Army/Navy Game marks the 104th edition of the interservice rivalry, and the 77th game to be played in Philadelphia. The sold-out game will be surrounded with several days of free activities for fans and Philadelphians, allowing everyone to share in the excitement of this tradition. First-time events in conjunction with Army/Navy Weekend include Patriot Games featuring Cadets and Midshipmen facing off in Philadelphia-themed competitions, Visiting Naval Ships and a Post-Game Fireworks Celebration at Penn's Landing.
Friday, December 5
ARMY/NAVY PEP RALLY
Noon The Shops at Liberty Place, Rotunda
(16th & Chestnut streets)
Kick-off the weekend festivities with a Pep Rally sure to get everyone fired-up for the big game, complete with pep bands and cheerleaders. Go Army! Go Navy!
PATRIOT GAMES
EVENT #1 - TASTYKAKE EATING CONTEST
Noon The Shops at Liberty Place, Rotunda
For the first time, Cadets and Midshipmen will face-off in a number of exciting competitions throughout Philadelphia, concluding with the final challenge at the Army/Navy Game. The inaugural event of the Patriot Games, a Tastykake Eating Contest, will be held at the Pep Rally.
EVENT #2 - ROCKY CHALLENGE
3:30 Steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art
The second event of the Patriot Games features true Philadelphia flair as Cadets and Midshipmen confront each other in a Rocky Challenge, complete with a run up the famous ?Rocky Steps.?
Saturday, December 6 - Sunday, December 7
VISITING NAVAL SHIPS
Noon - 5:00 PM Great Plaza at Penn's Landing
Philadelphia gets a special opportunity for an up-close look at two of the U.S. Navy's most impressive ships. The USS HUE CITY - CG-66, a cruiser, and USS MAHAN - DDG-72, a destroyer, will be docked on the Delaware River for the weekend and available for tours on Saturday.
Saturday, December 6
PATRIOT GAMES
EVENT #3 - CONSTITUTIONAL QUIZ
10:30 AM National Constitution Center, 525 Arch Street
It's a battle of the brains as Cadets and Midshipmen face-off in the third event of the Patriot Games, a Constitutional Quiz at Philadelphia's new National Constitution Center.
ARMY AND NAVY STATIC DISPLAYS
Noon - 10:00 PM Great Plaza at Penn's Landing
Exciting military vehicles will be on display, including tanks, a Navy NASCAR display, an Army dragster, a Humvee and more! A Black Hawk Helicopter, a UH-1 Huey, and additional Ground Combat Vehicles will be on display from 4:00 - 10:00 PM.
TAILGATING PARTY AT THE RIVERRINK
3:00 - 8:00 PM Blue Cross RiverRink at Penn's Landing
The public is invited to the Blue Cross RiverRink to celebrate the big game. Skate to patriotic music, watch the Army/Navy Game, enjoy free wings and nachos, face painting and more. There is a charge for ice-skating; military and college discounts are available.
POST-GAME FIREWORKS CELEBRATION
7:30 - 10:00 PM Great Plaza at Penn's Landing
Fireworks at approximately 9:30 PM
For the weekend's grand finale, fans and locals alike will be treated to an incredible fireworks display over the Delaware River. Free hot chocolate, face painting and music are all part of the festivities leading up to the fireworks at 9:30 PM.
For up-to-date information, logon to www.PhillyLovesArmyNavy.com. This site was designed by Lockheed Martin in conjunction with the Philadelphia Sports Congress.
The Philadelphia Sports Congress (PSC), a division of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, seeks to attract major sporting events and conventions to the Philadelphia area. The PSC facilitates the Army/Navy Game for the City of Philadelphia in conjunction with the U.S. Military Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy.
Following a national bid process to host the Army/Navy Game, the United States Naval Academy (USNA) and the United States Military Academy (USMA) awarded five of six the Army/Navy Games to Philadelphia in April 2003, maintaining the city's position as the home of the Army/Navy Game. The Army/Navy Game will be held in Philadelphia in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2009, in addition to this year's game.
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