SWFL Super Bowl parties to be mostly Patriotic

Storm arrives with a rumble of thunder aboard his New England Patriots-themed Harley-Davidson.

And the New England Patriots Fan Club of Southwest Florida is ready to roll at the club's headquarters, Laugh-In Comedy Cafe in Fort Myers. Mascot and "cheer-starter" Storm, no last name — please, is from Lehigh Acres, but originally from Connecticut.

"P-A-T-S," he yells, sporting a red, white and blue bandana and a Patriots T-shirt. "Pats, Pats, Pats."

Club members Frank Parsons and Bernie Munro, both of Cape Carol, join, as Parsons' 4-year-old daughter, Sophia, snaps her head around to look at them with a smile. It's a cheer shy Sophia knows well, but she's quiet today. All have on their Patriots jerseys.

The four are waiting for Sunday evening, when their team takes on the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX. Across Southwest Florida, bars, restaurants, clubs and private homes are gearing up for the annual showdown. The local fan club expects 300 fans to pack the place, and it can accommodate about 550. Started in 1991, the club peaked in '96 with about 350 members and now has about 200 who are active.

The game airs kicks off at 6:30 p.m. at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. Seattle beat Denver last year in East Rutherford, N.J. The game will be televised on NBC.

For Parsons, football Sundays are family day. They turn down all other invites and head to the club for the game. All eight family members — wife, children, grandchildren — pull on their Patriots jerseys, the numbers on their backs corresponding to their years of birth. This Sunday, the males in the family will sport matching logos shaved onto their scalps.

"We've seen all three Super Bowl wins — soon to be four — at Laugh In," Munro said. The Patriots won in 2002, 2004 and 2005 with quarterback Tom Brady and coach Bill Belichick, roles they'll reprise Sunday. The Patriots lost the 2008 and 2012 bowls.

Despite a long-reaching search for local Seahawk fans, no one laid claim to the team.

"We're the most-hated team in pro football," Munro said, adding many Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jacksonville Jaguars fans will root for Seattle. "You either love us or your hate us. And we're OK with that."

Laugh-In owner Joe Galanis is a native New Yorker. During baseball season, he says he makes certain to wear his Yankees cap on days the club is watching football. "And they throw me out." Munro and Galanis trade good-natured barbs, and Galanis says when the Jets aren't playing, he's a Patriots' fan.

Galanis is tying his Sunday special into the New England theme, with a seafood sandwich of lobster and crab on a "Boston bun." Otherwise, his normal full menu will be available.

Across town, at another Fort Myers comedy club, Belushi's Comedy Bar, actor Jim Belushi will host a Super Bowl party to benefit the music therapy program at Golisano Children's Hospital. Belushi, a Chicago Bears fan, will root for Seattle.

Chicago beat New England in 1986's Super Bowl XX, 46-10.

Munro said the club chose Laugh-In specifically because it isn't a sports bar and there are no team divisions. Everyone is welcome to watch the game with them, although they should be ready for a distinctly Patriots show. Each time the Pats score, the club plays "Dirty Water" by the Standells, and Storm rallies the crowd with the Pats cheer. They have six or seven songs queued up to excite the crowd, including Bon Jovi's "This is Our House."

The club will raffle off Patriots merchandise, including an autographed Doug Flutie football, jersey, a Snuggie, headphones, and piggy banks. The club uses proceeds to keep the club running and for charity. Sunday's proceeds will benefit Patriots Charitable Foundation in New England.

SUPER BOWL PARTIES

• BackStreets Sports Bar: Complimentary buffet starting at 5:45, door prizes and king and queen of the quarter, who get front-row seating and beer. Free limo service to and from the bar avialable at 914-3040. Bar seating available for reservation. 915 S.E. 47th Terrace, Cape Coral. 945-7555.

• Bahama Jack's: All-you-can eat buffet and domestic draft beer. $30 20041 S. Tamiami Trail, Estero. 676-9205

• Belushi's Comedy Bar: Comedian/actor/musician Jim Belushi and chef/restaurateur Charles Mereday co-host a Super Bowl party at Belushi's Comedy Bar in Fort Myers (above the Tilted Kilt restaurant). Buffet, open bar, 100-Foot Screen & Multiple Wide-Screen TVs. Proceeds benefit the music therapy program at Golisano Children's Hospital. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. 13851 Tamiami Trail South, Fort Myers. $75. 433-5299

• Fat Point Brewing: The taproom has five 60-inch LCD TVs and full surround sound. Food and drink specials include a 14-inch pizza with two toppings and four pints and $1 off all flights. Table reservations are $75 and go toward your check. 611 Charlotte St., Punta Gorda, (800) 380-7405

•Dixie Roadhouse: Free appetizer buffet for the first-half and a special menu. Free shots every time your team scores. All ages (well-behaved children welcome). 5 p.m. 1023 SW 47th Terrace, Cape Coral. 541-7900.

• Fathoms Restaurant and Bar: A 20-foot big screen TV. $50 includes open bar from 6 p.m. until halftime and all-you-can-eat from the Super Bowl menu until 10 p.m. 5785 Cape Harbour Drive # 106, Cape Coral. (239) 542-0123

• Fort Myers Brewing Co. Open late for the entire game. Game will be on the big screen - 16 ft x 9ft. Corn hole, tacos, Reubenss and other goodies from Gold Coast Kitchen, the game and beer. Bring your own chair. 12811 Commerce Lakes Dr Suite 27-28, Fort Myers. 313-6576.

•Laugh-In Comedy Cafe: The Official Patriots Fan Club of Southwest Florida is hosting a party, beginning at 4 p.m. Door prizes at halftime and at game end. Raffles for prizes including jerseys, banners, footballs-- including a signed Doug Flutie, and an array of other goodies. 8595 College Parkway in Fort Myers.

• Stevie Tomato's Sports Page: Specials include buy 10 wings, get five free; $10 racks of ribs, wing-eating contest for a big screen TV, live emcee, giveaways and drink specials. 9510 Market Place Road, Fort Myers; 814 SW Pine Island Road, Cape Coral; and 15215 Collier Bldv., #301, Naples.

• Ter-Tini's: For $20/person, buffet with St. Louis ribs/BBQ chicken & sides from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. plus unlimited domestic drafts. Add $30/person for open bar. www.eventbrite.com/e/ter-tinis-tailgate-patio-party-for-super-bowl-xlix-tickets-15502224571

•United Cafe Bar and Bistro: Free bar nibbles, happy hour iced beer pitchers & beer bucket specials and Super Bowl snack menu available all game. 2236 First St., Fort Myers. 628-6918

Specials:

• Nomiki's Plakka Greek Restaurant: Gyro sandwich for $7. Take-out orders only, sandwich only. 433-5659 to make your take-out order, or come in and place your order, 12901-3 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers. www.facebook.com/NomikisPlakka

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