The March madness may be burning parentheses at this point, but Orlando Chef burned a grid iron for a cause on Friday (April 4th) and is gathering for the Florida Citrus Sports Foundation’s annual Sideline Wine & Dine at Camp World Stadium.
Announcing OAI + Rainier, Sideline Wine & Dine Proceeds supports the FCS Foundation’s efforts to fund a fun summer camp experience for kids enrolled in the Bradley-Otis Boys & Girls Club annual program at West Lakes Commuity in Orlando.
Florida Citrus Sports has been supporting summer camp programs in the area for nearly 25 years, according to Samgardner, senior director of marketing and communications at FCS. Guests will enjoy a unique experience of the venue as they will be held at the stadium’s premium level.
“It could be part of a stadium that you don’t normally see,” Gardner says, or if it’s used to sitting at a concert or event, it’s experiencing it in a whole new way. That’s part of the appeal.
The general admission fee for Florida Citrus Sports members is $75, while non-members pay $100. Enjoy bites from famous city celebrities including 4 Rivers Smoke House and Fogo de Chao, including Forward/Slash Distillery & Blending House and Ivan Ho Park Brewing Company.
Joey Morris, co-owner of Gnarly Barley, loves to do the event (third year). This is when Ivanhoe eateries, best known for their sandwich arrays, showcase things completely different, such as batch cocktails.
“You’ll find us at the Spooky’s Bar in the Press Box Room,” says Morris. “We know there are often stigmas associated with batch cocktails. We think of them as opportunities to show that they are our own recipes. We make these…and it’s a sports-based crowd and we love talking to them.”
They bring in the old-fashioned batches of old-fashioned batches you find at Gnarly Barley in Reg, and pour seasonal gin and tonics by hand.
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Florida sports fans are familiar with FCS events like 50 Feast On The 50 (marking the 2025 calendar on October 9th) that are not participating in Sideline Wine & Dine. The family-friendly tailgate event spreads across the stadium field with thousands of people attending, but the sideline crowd will be sub-500.
On-site upselling can also make the scene a little more sparkly.
“We have a fun collection of games that we sell as part of our fundraiser,” explains Gardner.
The six-person activity punch cards available for $30 at the event will take guests on a little tour of the facility and check out different locations as they play cards and punch cards.
“They can see both ends of the stadium field at the Plaza level and access the Spikeies when they visit the various stations,” Gardner says. “Other items available at (revenue) events also support the cause.”
As former high school math and science teachers, Kurt co-owners Dustin and April Williams are excited to be taking part in Sideline Wine & Dining for the first time.
“When we heard it was for the Boys & Girls Club and the local community, we wanted to be involved,” says April Williams.
Williams opened its first location in Orlando’s Milk District neighborhood, inspired by the Oregon Food Truck Park that they taught and mentored. With Sodo, I continued on the suit for two seconds.
“Whenever we have the opportunity to do something to help our kids, we want to be a part of it. We are extremely excited to share specially brewed beers from two great breweries from Tampa.
Sideline Wine & Dine dates back to 2017, Gardner says, but the scope of what funding raised has changed over time. This year, the focus will be expanding the already robust scholarship for Boys & Girls Club Camps for children in the Westlakes community. The Orlando food and drink community, along with contributions and reserve sponsors, and the city’s enthusiastic foodie, all helps make it happen.
Do you want to reach out to me? Find me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram @Amydroo or the Osfoodie Instagram account @orlando.foodie. Email: amthompson@orlandosentinel.com. For more fun, join Let’s Eat, Orlando Facebook group or follow @fun.things.orlando on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
If you’re going
Sideline Wine & Dine will be held at Camping World Stadium on April 4th at 7pm. VIP entries start at 6pm or visit floridacitrussports.com/event/sideline-wine for tickets or for more information.
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