Eats, Beats and Cleats Gridiron Festival: A Great Place to Hang for Four Days, Starting with an Exciting VIP Kickoff Party

Posted January 6th, 2010 11:51AM by Ken Spalasso

The Eats Beats Cleats Gridiron Festival presented by Comcast kicks off on Thursday, Feb. 4 as Lincoln Road in the heart of South Beach transforms into a CELEBRATION OF SPORTS. Over 75 current and former NFL All Stars and other Sports Legends will be featured as the festival launches with an exclusive VIP players party at the Ritz Carlton, and continues through the weekend with several chances to mingle with the likes of Barry Sanders, Emmitt Smith, Jason Taylor, Michael Irvin, Gale Sayers, and Roger Staubach. The four-day festival sponsored by Comcast, Lincoln Mercury, LandShark Beer, MIAMI Modern Luxury Magazine, Lincoln Financial Radio and Gallo Wines is set to dominate Lincoln Road with coveted fan experiences including autograph signings, Fashion Rocks the Gridiron, Dancing FOR the NFL Stars, Gridiron Culinary with your favorite celebrity chefs, Gridiron Greats Night of Champions hosted by Mike Ditka and Jamie Foxx, national sports exhibits and the National Sports film festival combining the best of Hollywood with Sports. Eats Beats & Cleats Gridiron Festival ends Sunday, Feb. 7 with the Ultimate Tailgate Party before the big game.

Only VIP All Access Passport holders will receive an invitation to join their favorite NFL players at the kick-off party Thursday, Feb. 4 from 9 p.m. to midnight. In addition, each ticket grants access for three days to the VIP Festival Tent including bar, VIP viewing areas at the Lincoln stage, autograph passes, invitations to private meet & greets, VIP seats at various Sports Film Festival screenings, the chance to sit in on "Chalk Talks” and Coaches Corner with Mike Ditka, premium merchandise and memorabilia, and exclusive offers from Lincoln Road merchants. VIP All Access Passport price is $350 and $525.

Those that want in on the fun on a smaller scale can also purchase a Daily Passport for day-by-day access to the events, for just $85 (available Friday, Saturday and Sunday). Exclusive Passports presale begins December 18. Please call 877-733-3430 or log on to www.ebcmiami.com for purchasing information.

Certain Proceeds from all Festival Passports will go to The Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund (GGAF), a non-stock, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization providing financial grants and ‘pro bono’ medical assistance to retired NFL players in dire need. The organization focuses on the humanitarian side of post-football related issues, which include coordination of social services to retired players who are in need due to a variety of reasons including inadequate disability and/or pensions. The GGAF’s mission is to assist these dire need players who are pioneers of the game and have greatly contributed to the NFL’s status as the most popular sport in America. GGAF provides hands-on assistance to help retired players and their families deal with hardships they face after football. The services include medical assistance, financial assistance for utilities, medication, food, automotive payments and childcare.