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2025 Go Bowling Military Bowl Parade and Football Game
For the purpose of identifying the Go Bowling Military Bowl Parade and Football Game that will be held on Saturday, December 27, 2025, as a Major Special Event; and waiving charges for specific City of Annapolis costs related to the Go Bowling Military Bowl.
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City Council of the
City of Annapolis
Resolution 41-25
Introduced by: Mayor Buckley
Co-sponsored by:
Referred to: Finance Committee
A RESOLUTION concerning
2025 Go Bowling Military Bowl Parade and Football Game
FOR the purpose of identifying the Go Bowling Military Bowl Parade and Football Game that will be held on Saturday, December 27, 2025, as a Major Special Event; and waiving charges for specific City of Annapolis costs related to the Go Bowling Military Bowl.
WHEREAS, Section 14.18.110 of the City Code states that "the City Council may exempt certain special events from fees by resolution"; and
WHEREAS, The 2025 Go Bowling Military Bowl will be played on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, matching college football teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference and the American Athletic Conference, with kickoff set for 11 a.m. ET; and
WHEREAS, The Go Bowling Military Bowl marks the conclusion of "Bowl Week," taking place in the City of Annapolis. Fans will arrive on Friday night for the "Budweiser Clydesdale Miracle on West Street," which features food trucks, vendors, games, and various activities. Additionally, there is the Military Bowl Bar Crawl in downtown Annapolis; and
WHEREAS, The all-day Saturday Go Bowling Military Bowl event starts with a parade led by the Budweiser Clydesdales from the Annapolis City Dock to the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, where the Zero Waste Tailgate Festival will be taking place in the parking lot outside the stadium; and
WHEREAS, The five-year average Go Bowling Military Bowl game attendance is 29,963 people, leading to an overnight stay of an estimated 22,681 visitors, according to a 2019 survey by Visit Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Conference & Visitors Bureau; and
WHEREAS, The 2019 survey also found that the Military Bowl led to $18,912,214 in direct business sales, supported 8,820 local jobs, and contributed to $1,058,694 in local taxes; and
WHEREAS, The Go Bowling Military Bowl Football Game is broadcast by ESPN with a viewing audience of more than 2.2 million people, placing a national spotlight on the City of Annapolis; and
WHEREAS, The Go Bowling Military Bowl game is organized by the non-profit Military Bowl Foundation and benefits Patriot Point, a 294-acre retreat for recovering service members, their families, and caregivers; and
WHEREAS, The City of Annapolis recognizes that Go Bowling Military Bowl events contribute to the local economy, promote tourism, and foster a welcoming spirit among residents and visitors alike;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE ANNAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL that:
1. The Go Bowling Military Bowl Parade and Football Game that will be held on Saturday, December 27, 2025, is hereby designated a Major Special Event in recognition of its significance to our heritage and public service to our City; and
2. The City of Annapolis hereby waives reimbursement for the costs associated with the Military Bowl Parade and Football Game, up to a maximum of $15,000, including but not limited to costs for providing security, cleanup, and other related services; and
3. This fee waiver expresses the city's appreciation for the annual Military Bowl's positive impact on the community and its commitment to fostering a welcoming and vibrant atmosphere for residents and visitors.
AND BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED BY THE ANNAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL that this resolution shall take effect upon passage.
R-41-25
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