A milestone moment in college football history has inspired an inception-like celebration in Orlando\u2019s Thornton Park neighborhood.<\/p>\n
Debuting Friday at 4 p.m., the Citrus Bowl Lodge, what may be the nation\u2019s first bowl-themed bar, is popping up inside the Reindeer Room<\/a>, as it wraps its second year as the neighborhood\u2019s twinkly holiday pop-up bar.<\/p>\n It\u2019s the latest in a string of celebrations by Florida Citrus Sports, as it marks the 80th playing of the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl<\/a>, a legacy that includes eight decades of gridiron tradition in Central Florida.<\/p>\n \u201cThe 80th playing of the Citrus Bowl has provided us with a great opportunity to celebrate the impact that this bowl game has had on Orlando. As part of that celebration,\u00a0 we wanted to find different ways for the community to engage with us,\u201d said Florida Citrus Sports CEO Steve Hogan.<\/p>\n The Reindeer Room, 808 E. Washington St. in Orlando, will operate in its holiday-themed format through Christmas Day before morphing, overnight, into a premier party destination for Citrus Bowl fans during bowl week. The game, featuring rival teams from Texas and Michigan, is set for 3 p.m. Dec. 31 at Camping World Stadium<\/a>.<\/p>\n Amid the over-the-top bowl-week theming, fans can enjoy historic Citrus Bowl artifacts and memorabilia, vintage program covers, news clippings and archival imagery, custom Citrus Bowl-branded decor and immersive design elements, custom menu items inspired by both the history of the game and this year\u2019s competing teams, as well as special giveaways and activations throughout the bar\u2019s run.<\/p>\n The Citrus Bowl Lodge will be open daily, Dec. 26 through Jan. 1.<\/p>\n Florida Citrus Sports launches local food and beverage collabs<\/a><\/p>\n Additionally, Florida Citrus Sports will sponsor the iconic Orange Drop as part of Thornton Park\u2019s New Year\u2019s Eve Block Party, a uniquely local way to ring in 2026 following the Citrus Bowl game and post-game Jordan Davis concert, presented by Geico.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Citrus Bowl Lodge is a chance for everyone to relive the history of the game in a unique way,\u201d Hogan added. \u201cAnd we couldn\u2019t be more excited to partner with the team at the Reindeer Room to bring the concept to life.\u201d<\/p>\n For more information, visit CheezItCitrusBowl.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n Want to reach out? Find me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram\u00a0@amydroo<\/a>\u00a0or on the OSFoodie Instagram account\u00a0@orlando.foodie<\/a>. Email:\u00a0amthompson@orlandosentinel.com<\/a>. For more fun, join the\u00a0Let\u2019s Eat, Orlando Facebook group<\/a>.<\/p>\n \t\t\t