Feast on the 50 Presented by TD Bank Draws Huge Crowds, Brings Big Fun
A dazzling fireworks display illuminated the night sky over Lake Lorna Doone Thursday, capping off an evening of fun on the field at Camping World Stadium.
A tradition dating back more than a quarter-century, Feast on the 50 presented by TD Bank is one of Florida Citrus Sports’ most anticipated annual events. And as this year’s record crowd of 4,713 can attest, it’s a tailgate unlike any other.
Attendees at this unique celebration of family and football enjoyed food from caterers and restaurants around Orlando, including Port-a-Pit BBQ, Oley’s Kitchen, and Tijuana Flats. City Beverages and Tito’s Handmade Vodka were also on hand keeping members’ and guests’ souvenir cups full.
In the always-lively Alumni Village, located at the north end of the field, 28 local alumni clubs from ACC, SEC, Big Ten, and Big 12 schools — as well as UCF, USF, Bethune-Cookman, and Florida A&M — were on hand, with Clemson taking home the most spirited tent award for the second year in a row.
In the south endzone, near Florida Hospital’s interactive helmet display, a Kids Zone presented by Andretti Indoor Karting & Games featured everything from bounce houses and obstacle courses to balloon animals and an on-site caricaturist. Nearby, additional vendors provided popular face painting and wax hand-dipping stations that were a hit for guests of all ages.
Of course, one of the highlights of every Feast on the 50 is the annual silent auction, and the 2017 auction — held exclusively via smartphone for the first time, using the Handbid app — was a rousing success, teaming up with the raffle to raise more than $40,000 for the Florida Citrus Sports Foundation’s annual summer camp.
A free, eight-week program primarily serving the West Lakes communities surrounding Camping World Stadium, the Florida Citrus Sports Summer Camp, and the children it serves will benefit enormously from the generosity of the auction participants.
Among the most popular items were VIP tickets to the 2018 Camping World Kickoff between Alabama and Louisville, a baseball bat signed by New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge, an Orlando Magic courtside ticket package, and helmets signed by Peyton Manning and UCF head football coach Scott Frost.
To learn more about the Florida Citrus Sports Foundation, visit our Community page, and be sure to join us on Oct. 11, 2018, when Feast on the 50 presented by TD Bank returns for another year.