Super Bowl Boulevard, which spans thirteen blocks along Broadway, is already teeming with NFL fans who have come from all over to watch Super Bowl XLVIII and celebrate all things football.
Super Bowl XLVIII is just around the corner and New Yorkers and tourists alike can't wait for the Boulevard of Dreams to kick off.
Crews and volunteers labored in the frigid Tuesday temps to turn a 13-block stretch of Broadway into Super Bowl Boulevard — a free public fan celebration that's expected to attract tens of thousands when it opens at noon on Wednesday.
A lucky few VIPs and workers even got to test drive what’s sure to be the main attraction — a 60-foot toboggan ride.
The chosen few squealed and shouted as they shot down the gleaming ride, which will open to the public Wednesday at noon, along with the rest of Super Bowl Boulevard.
Native New Yorker Ivan Clark, 29, volunteered to work at the Times Square event because of all the amazing musical acts he'll get to see, including the iconic Blondie, who will sing for the crowds Saturday.
Although he was born in the Empire State, Clark is a die-hard Denver Broncos fan — and for good reason.
"My cousin is Knowshon Moreno, the running back for the Broncos," he said.
A couple of lucky people get to do a test run on the Super Bowl Toboggan Run at the corner of 41St. and Broadway.
"I'm excited to see him play. I'm working on the Boulevard. It's gonna be crazy. I've heard we should expect 45,000 people here. There are so many free and affordable things to do. I still haven't been given a job yet, but I'm prepared to do it all. Have you seen the toboggan? People aren't going to be able to go down it just once," he noted.
Fans can mingle freely along the Times Square stretch from noon to 10 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday. Aside from a $5 fee to ride the toboggan, events are free, including a photo op with the Vince Lombardi trophy, autographs from NFL players, the chance to kick a field goal and visit the broadcast sets of the NFL Network, ESPN and FOX.
"I just wanted to come check it out, I work around here and people have been talking about it," said Jake Calderon, 21, from Long Island.
"I'll definitely come back Friday to ride it. I'm also excited about the Vince Lombardi trophy. I want to go see that. I'm a Jets fan but I think it's really cool that we're having the Super Bowl here. ... I want to see a Super Bowl played in the snow," he enthused.
Workers continue erecting the tents, stages, and other aspects of Super Bowl Boulevard ahead of the weekend's celebration.
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