CONSTRUCTION
The city of Bowling Green has decided to do some work on the I-75 bridge. The exit ramp from I-75 to Bowling Green should be unaffected. The on-ramp to I-75 North is a right-hand circle ramp and was still open a couple of weeks ago. I would expect the only delays would be in leaving town as the bridge will only have one lane each direction. This is nothing to panic about but you should expect to see the orange barrels.
PARKING
Parking is a premium on any college campus. The parking lot used for the basketball arena (Stroh Center) has been reserved for event parking. It is a short walk to the stadium. To get to this parking lot, review the map in the Music For All website.
(http://www.musicforall.org/images/PDFs/2018/Fall/Bowling_Green_Final_Packet/v2_18_BGSU_Site_Overview_Map.pdf)
This map will direct you around the building to a back entrance. The entrance from the main road (Wooster) will be blocked off. Parking here will cost $10 per space. If you leave the lot to find something to eat you may have to repay the $10. There may be alternate parking at the Ice Arena without having to pay. This lot is not heavily used except during Saturday events. It is shown on the map as well. You can find it in the upper left quadrant. If everything is full, you should be able to park in student, commuter, and staff lots. In the past, the university has allowed this on the weekend for visiting parents and families.
TICKETS
Ticket prices are $18 for Prelim’s and another $18 for Finals if these are purchased separately. If you want to attend both and save a few bucks, purchase the all-day pass for $27. Historically, Jenison makes it into finals, however, this cannot ever be guaranteed.
MERCHANDISE
Within the gates of the stadium there are tables of items being sold. They range from t-shirts and sweatshirts to buttons and patches. There are usually some other misc items as well. BGSU will have table there with some of their band members in case you have any questions about the school.
BETWEEN PRELIM'S & FINALS
After Prelim’s conclude and the bands are announced for Finals, you will be required to leave the stadium. You will also have to take your belongings with you as seats cannot be saved for Finals. You do not have to move your car out of the parking lot – as far as I know. This is not usually required. Plan on returning in time for the first performance because it will take some time before we are informed when Jenison will be on the field.
FOOD NEAR STADIUM
When you are hungry, there are lots of places to eat across the street from the stadium. Directly across from the Stroh Center parking lot is:
Waffle House
Big Boy
Buffalo Wild Wings
Starbucks
To their left (closer to I-75) is:
Burger King
Subway
Penn Station
Further left, beyond Speedway, is:
Bob Evans
Frickers
To the right of Waffle House is:
Tim Hortons
Wendy’s
McDonalds
FOOD NEAR DOWNTOWN
Much further down that direction is the edge of campus and the beginning of the downtown district. It is still within walking distance, but is still about a mile away. In this area, there is:
Subway
Pizza Pub 516
Taco Bell
Jimmy Johns
The Stone’s Throw
and more
FOOD IN DOWNTOWN
Downtown is at the crossroads of Wooster and Main Street. In the map below, the downtown area is where the directions to Walmart turn south onto Main Street. Local restaurants that can be found here:
Beckett’s Burger
Call of the Canyon Café
Easy Street Café
Two Foxes Gastropub
Pisanello’s Pizza
Sam B’s
FOOD NEAR WALMART
If you turn left on Main, you are heading south toward Walmart. You would need to drive here as it’s about 3 miles away. The map below shows the easiest way. Restaurant’s near this store are:
Pizza Hut
McDonalds
Wendy’s
Falcon
Pagliai’s Pizza buffet
Burger King
SHOPPING & FOOD IN PERRYSBURG
If you would like to shop, in addition to Wal-Mart, there is a Meijer near campus. It’s just on the other side of I-75 (upper right corner of map). The nearest mall is in Toledo. To shop in Perrysburg, follow I-75 north from Bowling Green. Continue north past the I-475 exit and the road will curve to the right. Take the first exit past this, US-20/23. Shopping and restaurants are to the right. There is:
Cracker Barrel
Chipotle
Panera
Chick-fil-A
IHOP
Chili’s
Sonic
Five Guys
and all the other usual fast food places
One more thing! If you eat out at one of the local restaurants, leave us a comment on the blog and let us know what you thought of it.
If you missed the August blog entry on this competition, use the archive link on the right side of your screen to find it. If you have any additional questions, the following link will take you to the website for the Regional.
(http://www.musicforall.org/what-we-do/boa-marching-championships/regionals/bands-of-america-northwest-ohio-regional-championship-presented-by-yamaha)