Are you ready for some football? The Pro Bowl arrives in Honolulu this weekend with prime players from both conferences and events designed to capitalize on football fandom. Below is a rundown of events connecting enthusiasts with players, cheerleaders, celebrities and fellow fans.
FRIDAY
>> Queen’s Beach in Waikiki will be the epicenter for many events, with organizers dubbing the area Pro Bowl Beach. At noon the Pro Bowl Kickoff Rally rolls into action with players, cheerleaders, mascots and celebrities. It’s followed by an auction of NFL memorabilia at 1:30 p.m., a University of Hawaii volleyball demonstration at 4 p.m., athletic contests featuring military members at 5 p.m. and a Pro Bowl Pep Rally — the first of three — at 7 p.m., and a Sunset Concert and Beach Party at 7:30 with performances by EMKE and DJ Double O Spot and Friends. All Queen’s Beach events are free and open to the public.
>> At Wet ’n’ Wild, 400 Farrington Highway, Kapolei, the Hang with the Pros Pool Party will feature several NFL players, including Tyler Lockett (Seattle Seahawks) and Clay Matthews (Green Bay Packers). Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles will join local DJs at turntables throughout the park. 5 to 10 p.m.; $15-$45 ($10 for Gold Pass holders), wetnwildhawaii.com/events.
>> The Hawaii Events Center at 985 Dillingham Blvd. in Kalihi will be the venue for the All-Star ProVIP Kickoff Party with Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley and special guest, Grammy-nominated hip-hop artist Clemm Rishad, at 9 p.m; $40-$75, flavorus.com or 855-235-2867.
SATURDAY
>> Back at Queen’s Beach, the second Pro Bowl Pep Rally takes place at noon, followed by a coaches’ clinic at 2:30 p.m., a volleyball demonstration at 4 p.m., a celebrity challenge at 5 p.m. and a third and final rally at 7 p.m.
>> A Sunset Concert and Beach Party evening at Queen’s Beach concludes with a concert featuring a Polynesian show and local entertainers The Vitals, Kaipo with Tenelle and Eli-Mac; 7:30 p.m.
>> The Hawaii Events Center hosts another party, the ProVIP Players Lounge: Pro Sexy Mansion Edition. The party, now in its ninth year, has attracted plenty of players and celebrities; 9 p.m.; $40-$75, flavorus.com or 855-235-2867.
>> The Tsukiji Fish Market and Restaurant at Ala Moana Center hosts the DJ Holiday and Friends Pro Bowl Party, billed as “the only official players and hip-hop Pro Bowl party”; 10 p.m., $30-$100, flavorus.com or 855-235-2867.
SUNDAY
>> For big spenders there’s the NFL Official Tailgate Party at Richardson Field, makai of the stadium, with live entertainment and celebrity appearances; 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m., $269, nflonlocation.com, nbrewster@onlocation.events or 212-655-5665. Note: In addition, the NFL offers a package deal that includes admission to an NFL Official Saturday Night Party on the Royal Hawaiian’s ocean lawn, the Tailgate Party and a sideline ticket to the game; $799 and up, nflonlocation.com or 877-611-3947.
>> The Hawaii Better Business Bureau also organized a Pro Bowl Tailgate Party at the stadium, but it’s sold out already; 11 a.m.-2 p.m., bbb.org/hawaii/news-events.
>> Finally, there’s the Pro Bowl game itself, pitting Jerry Rice’s all-stars against Michael Irvin’s all-stars. Pregame activities begin at 1:30 p.m., featuring singer Rachel Platten and the Kamehameha Schools children’s choir. Halftime features local high school players and NFL players who got their start playing football here, including Saint Louis School grad and Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota. Kickoff is at 2 p.m.; $30-$140, ticketmaster.com or 866-448-7849.
