South Florida Sun-Sentinel Palm Beach (Sunday)
Miami Dolphins throw a free NFL Draft party for Dolfans
Dolfans can get up close to the Miami Dolphins at the NFL draft watch party being thrown at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens Thursday, April 25, from 7-11 p.m.
Admission is free as long as you register for tickets at Dolphins.com/DraftParty. There is no shut-off date for ordering the tickets.
The actual name of the event — which has been staged by the team for more than 25 years — is the “Miami Dolphins On the Clock Draft Party powered by South Florida Ford.” What that unwieldy title really means is you can:
Watch the NFL draft on large outdoor TV screens with alumni players providing analysis live onstage
Get autographs from current and former players
Get selfies with the Miami Dolphins cheerleaders and T.D., the team’s mascot. Buy concessions from regional food trucks
Run football drills and play games for children and adults
Shop for NFL draft merchandise as well as get discounts on select team items from the 2018 season in the Team Store.
Possibly win prizes and giveaways throughout the evening
“Our draft party is an annual event that gives fans an opportunity to experience football during the off season,” explains Jeremy Walls, Miami Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium senior vice president and chief marketing officer, in an email interview. “While it started as more of radio show with some activities surrounding, it has now evolved into a full fan festival.”
What’s new this year
Instead of being on the football field, the festival will be staged at Hard Rock Stadium’s new tennis venue to “make this gathering more of a community event,” explains Walls.
There will also be a Dolphins Garage Sale where fans can buy apparel worn by the players and coaches, such as gameused helmets, cleats, jerseys, T-shirts, hats, etc. The proceeds will benefit the Miami Dolphins Foundation.
And the Dolphins will also launch a new initiative in celebration of the NFL’s 100th season.
“The #DolphinsHuddlefor100 service project will pack hunger relief kits to be distributed through Feeding South Florida to families in need in the community,” Walls writes. “As part of NFL100, the NFL is inviting fans, players, clubs and employees to join Huddle for 100, an effort to inspire 1 million people to volunteer 100 minutes of their time to make meaningful contributions to their communities. Throughout the Huddle for 100 initiative, the NFL will give participating fans the chance to win a variety of prizes, including game tickets, team gear or a donation to a charity they select when they track their participation.”