The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

The New England Patriots and the New York Giants will go head to head this weekend at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. While many National Football League fans are looking forward to the fierce competition, many football enthusiasts simply cannot wait for the food and festivities that comes with a good viewing party.

When it comes to the perfect combination of sports and parties, Super Bowl stands at the top of the list. Party planners often start their preparation months, seeing it as their duty to deliver a memorable touchdown experience.

For the past eight years, Super Bowl viewing parties have been tradition for the local Bonczek family. "Extreme excitement and anticipation" surrounds the Bonczek home during this time, said Zack Bonczek, sales manager and real estate broker.

A Super Bowl party is incomplete without food and drinks, said Mr Bonczek. His home is usually filled with the scent of chili or souse on the pot with any number of appetizers, such as chicken wings, hot dips. To top everything off, there is always cold beer.

"We normally make the big main course and ask that each couple bring an appetizer and whatever they are drinking. We also supply the mixers, coolers, ice and the venue," said Mr Bonczek.

In addition to watching the game, he and his guests take time out to play football squares, a game where participants make a grid 10 boxes wide and 10 boxes high.

"Participants will buy a chance to win, a dollar per square, until all the squares are completely filled in. Once the grid is full we draw numbers, 0-9, and place them over the top squares and down the side of the squares. To win, the last number of the score for each team will be used and the winner is the person who's initials are in the intersecting square. Great fun as the winner of each quarter will win $25 dollars," said Mr Bonczek.

Members of the Bethel family also get creative when hit with Super Bowl fever. They make desserts with the name of their favorite teams engraved on them.

Kate Bethel* said this may not be as big as her family's Christmas celebrations, but she always looks forward to the Super Bowl season because there is no telling what her family is going to come up with next.

" Last year, my mom, who never wore a jersey in her life, tried to surprise everybody by wearing football attire from head to toe. This lady was even wearing a helmet, and not to mention she came fashionably late, this was her way of making us laugh and representing for her team all at the same time," said Ms Bethel.

When it comes to the food, she said everyone enjoys cooking so that is never an issue.

"We have chicken, fish, rice, Mac and cheese, wings and lots of cakes, desserts and snacks. We also do, what we call a potluck, where everybody brings a different food dish or dessert," she said.

Jane Sands* said she turns her house into a football inspired home. The family moves all of the furniture, leaving only a gigantic L-shape sofa and the big screen television.

"We do it just like in the movies. We have a buffet filled with just junk and finger foods. The nachos, sauces, jalapenos, wings, chicken tenders, that sort of stuff," said Ms Sands.

By the end of the party, there is no food in sight, she said.

"What is different about Super bowl parties, and what I enjoy about it is the fact that you only have a limited crowd, not more than 20 people, and you are all there to just socialize and have a blast," said Ms Sands.

The point of hosting Super Bowl parties is to enjoy the company of friends and family; to laugh at the hilarious commercials and to play games, said Ms Sands.

"And the thing about it is, in my family, there is only about five people that are actually interested in the game, everybody else occupies themselves by playing board games. It is all pure fun," she said.

*Names have been changed.