Suffolk News-Herald

Well, for the 39th time, it’s just about time for the Super Bowl here in Suffolk. For three hours on Sunday, we can forget all about our problems and revel in the biggest game of the year, a battle to determine who’s the best in the NFL, a tradition that has become a part of American culture.

Whether you’re rooting for Philadelphia or New England (or don’t even care), the game has always been a blast to watch. Not just because of the game, but the commercials, the halftime shows, and maybe even a wardrobe malfunction here or there!

Want to watch the game with friends? You’ve got some options right here in town.

The Celebration Church will be holding its third annual Super Bowl party, starting at 5:30 p.m. For $2 per person or $5 for a family of three or more, visitors can watch the game on a 6 x 8-foot screen, with snacks available. At halftime, a drawing for a Spectacular Sports Package will be held. The Package includes an autographed photo of former New England quarterback Drew Bledsoe, a wall plaque with three gold cards of famous quarterbacks, a football and more. For more information, call 673-2729.

The Open Door Church at 816 King’s Fork Road in Suffolk will also hold a Super Bowl party at 5 p.m. Donations will be taken for a child in Indonesia, who lost her home in the Asian tsunamis as part of the Children’s Miracle Network, as well as a home for the church’s youth. A Chili-Cookoff will be held. For more information, call 934-2671.

If you’re inviting a few pals over for the Big Game, here’s a few tips for a safe and enjoyable festivity, according to Nina Swan Kohler, author of &uot;Tailgates to Touchdowns: Fabulous Football Food.&uot;

-Decorate the house in the colors of the team you’re rooting for. If one of the teams playing is &uot;your&uot; team, put on all your paraphernalia.

-Invest in a few foam &uot;bad-call bricks&uot; to throw at the TV so your guests can express their feelings about the refs without doing damage to your house.

-If you’re going to have guests who are rooting for different teams, establish an imaginary line (or for fun, &uot;draw&uot; one with masking tape) down the center of the room. Decorate each side in one team’s colors.

-Buy several six-packs of beer. Keep the beer in a cooler close by so you don’t have to run to the fridge. Restock the cooler at halftime.

Note: Since this is a drinking event, you may want to offer &uot;free pick-up and delivery&uot; so no one has to worry about drinking and driving. Arrange to pick everyone up before the game and drop everyone off after it’s over.

-Have everyone write down who they think will win and what the final score will be before the game starts. Award a silly prize, like a big stuffed football or one of those beer drinking hats, to the person who comes the closest. nSince this is a weekend, you may want to set up a kids’ room in the back of the house that’s stocked with treats, games, a TV and VCR.

-Move any fragile or breakable items out of the room before the game starts. You don’t want someone to leap up yelling, &uot;You call that holding? He wasn’t even touching him!&uot; and break your wife’s favorite vase.