SUPER BOWL LIVE PRESENTED BY VERIZON
Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis was the site of Super Bowl LIVE presented by Verizon, a massive, free, ten-day fan festival leading up to Super Bowl LII. Super Bowl LIVE presented by Verizon opened daily from Friday, Jan. 26 at 4 p.m. – Sunday, Feb. 4. The events where and open to the public. They stretched six blocks on Nicollet Mall, from South 12th St. to South 6th St. The free, 10-day festival had something for everyone including food, fun and nods to winter that showcase Minnesota’s authentic, Bold North brand, including larger-than-life ice sculptures, warming huts, ice bars and winter sports and activities.
The Minnesota Super Bowl Host Committee (MNSBHC) had enlisted Grammy-winning producers JIMMY JAM and TERRY LEWIS to curate 10 days of free music on Super Bowl LIVE presented by Verizon. Daily line-ups and schedules where organized largely based on music genre, such as country, rock, gospel, hip hop, reggae and soul. Highlights include an evening of music honoring Prince on Monday, Jan. 29. ‘Prince Night’ performers include The Revolution, Sheila E. and Morris Day and the Time and other artists with professional ties to late Minnesota-born icon. The evening’s performances will conclude with a community sing along of Purple Rain and select ‘Prince Night’ performances will be shown on NFL Network, ESPN2, and NBC Sports Network as part of their telecast of Super Bowl Opening Night fueled by Gatorade from Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul.
Dozens of other national and local Minnesota artists will perform free music daily at Verizon Up Stage at Ice Mountain on Nicollet Mall at 8th Street on Super Bowl LIVE presented by Verizon. Other performers include IDINA MENZEL, SOUL ASYLUM, DESSA, BOB MOULD, ESERA TUAOLO and MINT CONDITION. Due to space limitations, media will have access to pool footage of the live music and performers during the 10-day festival. Several additional, free musical acts will be announced in the coming days and more information can be found at mnsuperbowl.com/sblive.
There will also be free, indoor activities and fan engagement opportunities at the site of the Dayton’s Project on Nicollet Mall throughout the festival. The American Birkebeiner international Bridge (Birkie Bridge), an iconic centerpiece of North America’s largest cross-country ski race held each February in Wisconsin, will be constructed on Nicollet Mall over 9th Street for the 10-day festival. The nearly 200-foot bridge will be the site for cross-country skiing, skijoring and fat tire bike racing that visitors to Super Bowl LIVE presented by Verizon can witness daily for free.
Special Olympics Minnesota, in partnership with the Minnesota Super Bowl Host Committee, are inviting visitors, Minnesota residents, businesses and athletes to participate in a Polar Plunge on Tuesday, Jan. 30, at the Verizon Up Stage at Ice Mountain. The Polar Plunge on Super Bowl LIVE presented by Verizon, Special Olympics Minnesota’s signature winter event, is centered around participants jumping into a body of icy water and raising funds to support more than 8,200 individuals with intellectual disabilities across the state.
Visitors and residents will have the chance to soar across the Mississippi River suspended 100 feet in the air on The Bold North™ Zipline. Fun seekers will thrill their senses by ziplining 750 feet from a launch tower on Nicollet Island to a landing tower across the Mississippi River. The Bold North Zipline will open on Monday, Jan. 26 and run daily through gameday. A parallel 4-line set-up will allow four riders at a time, traveling at speeds of 20-30 mph as they glide across the Mississippi River. A limited of number tickets are available for sale on-site at Zipline Headquarters at Nicolette Mall and 7th street during the 10-day festival. Tickets are $30 per rider. Customized vehicles will transport guests from the Bold North™ Zipline headquarters on Nicollet Mall to the launch tower and again back after the zipline adventure.
