BLUE ANGEL BOWL GAMES
By John Gregory
It seems activities halt for several minutes each year in September as San Diegans gaze skyward while the U.S. Navy Blue Angels flight demonstration team performs thunderous, breathtaking precision maneuvers over the city, highlighting the annual MCAS Miramar Air Show. The aerial acrobatics and noise can be a significant distraction, but the Scripps Ranch Pop Warner Football and Cheer Association takes advantage of the event to hold a fun-filled fundraiser while the nearby air show is underway.
The organization will hold its second annual Blue Angel Bowl Games and fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 28. Aircraft from the show often fly over and near the stadium where the event is taking place all day long. The general public is invited to attend the Blue Angel Bowl Games events free of charge.
Scripps Ranch Pop Warner will host a handful of home football games – along with performances by the group’s cheer teams – throughout the day starting at 9 a.m. on the Scripps Ranch High School football field. Special activities will begin during an hour-long break between games at 2 p.m., one hour before the Blue Angels perform.
“At 2 o’clock we’re going to recognize some sponsors and we’re going to also have some local celebrities on the field,” said Sandra Atkinson, Scripps Ranch Pop Warner public affairs director.
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria is expected to be among the dignitaries along with some former NFL players, NFL trainers and more government officials.
A dunk tank will be a big part of the festivities. The crowd will watch as Pop Warner players try to dunk their coaches.
A face painter will be on hand for the kids all day and the Kona Ice truck will be there serving cold treats.
The concession stand will be open with Chick-Fil-A sandwiches being the featured menu item. A live grill run by a grill master will also be cooking all day long. Beverages will include sports drinks, sodas, water, tea, coffee and hot chocolate. All proceeds go to help fund Scripps Ranch Pop Warner.
Perhaps the highlight of the event will be the conclusion of the Dice Roll Fundraiser, which is underway.
“We’re doing the Dice Roll on the field … and the winner will win $500,” Atkinson said. “They (entrants) do not need to be present to win the $500. All they have to do is click on the link in our social media profile – either on Facebook or Instagram – and submit a sponsorship ticket. All you have to do is submit a ticket for $20 to enter for the $500 drawing.”
The Dice Roll is being run by a charity organization called Charity Valet. Every ticket entrant will be sent a unique dice combination and entered to win the grand prize in advance. The dice will be rolled four times. Whoever has the four numbers from the rolls will win.
“The (Pop Warner) board of directors officials will be on the field … to roll the dice. We will Facebook live (stream) the dice roll in front of the audience and the numbers will be reported online, and the person who wins will get an email that they won,” Atkinson said.
“In order to buy a ticket, you have to select a team member’s name so that (credit) goes toward someone in the organization,” she added.
The Pop Warner team member who has the most tickets in the system at the end of the fundraiser will win $100 and will also receive a $25 gift card to Public House 131 restaurant.
Learn more and enter the Dice Roll at charityvalet.com/srpwdiceroll24.
Scripps Ranch Pop Warner is seeking more vendors to participate in the Blue Angel Bowl Games event. Visit scrippsranchpopwarner.com.
