Kickoff is just around the corner for Super Bowl LI (51). The city of Houston, Texas hosts the big game, but for thousands of fans the sideshow to the spectacle of the Super Bowl is a way to spend family time without breaking the bank.
The Super Bowl is a show so big that fans of all shapes, sizes and… species can't help but get in the game.
"I think they have a lot of fun coming out here. I think they really enjoy just coming out of the house and doing something different. You know, getting the experience for them; something new, something different. It's really nice," said Esmeralda, a Houston resident.
It's also free to enter this fan festival, which likely sounds good to most families.
"Oh it's amazing. A lot of people are going to spend upwards of $5,000 on a ticket alone, so being able to come out in my community and actually experience it for a reasonable cost is great," said Baytown resident Patrick.
There's a street-party feel to all of this.
"You have to be in the atmosphere. You really do, because I'm not one that even would have ever went to a Super Bowl, but now, it seems like every city it's in, I want to go there, because it's exciting. It's nothing like being here," said Houston resident Tonya.
Tonya isn't going to the game, but Chris and his wife spent nearly $10,000 for their tickets to the Super Bowl.
"Just really the energy and the vibe… it's good.We like it.Just ready to experience everything. Tomorrow tailgating and then going into the game.It's kind of a compressed weekend, but we're excited," said Christ, who lives in Denton.
Super Bowl fans
The game is now just hours away.But as anyone who's seen a Super Bowl can tell you, between multi-million-dollar commercials and spectacular halftime performances, there is much more to the Super Bowl than just football.