For some, it’s the biggest event of the year, like Christmas, the Fourth of July and Mardi Gras rolled into one all-day bash of beer, Buffalo wings and high hopes.

In and around the Twin Cities, every bar worth its taps has something going on: special drink prices and trays of themed food served by men and women in Patriots jerseys and lamp black. Normally sedate locales like Lewiston’s Franco Center will get in on the action, inviting frothing hordes into their halls for food and football on the big screen.

It’s the Super Bowl. You know, a time for unabashed indulgence.

“The menu,” Franco Center Director Mitchell Thomas said, “includes hot wings, sweet sausages, chili, hot dogs, burgers and fries, pizza by the slice and flat ice-cream sandwiches.”

That party gets underway at 4:30 p.m. and Thomas wants you to make yourself at home.

“We’re encouraging guests to get comfy in a community setting with our nice chairs at round tables for eight, or to bring their own favorite beanbag, tailgate or camp chairs, and blankets,” he said. “I know some kids will be coming in their Patriots pajamas and in other favorite Pats wardrobe.”

Pizza companies have extra crews working. Supermarkets are stocked up on extra supplies of beer, dip and wings. The usual spots — Gipper’s, Fast Breaks, the Blue Goose, Irish Twins Pub — have been advertising their specials for weeks, although they hardly need to. Since the Patriots stomped the Colts on their march to the Super Bowl, local fans, both rabid and casual, have laid out their plans with the passion and precision of military generals.

Half will go out to share their ardor with strangers on bar stools. Half choose to hunker down at home where it’s safe to scream at the television or overturn furniture when the situation calls for it.

Even people who have no interest in football will watch the Super Bowl. Maybe it’s for the commercials, maybe for the halftime show, maybe the pageantry is just too intense to ignore. Super Bowl Sunday is a holiday, even if it is not formally recognized as such. And with New England playing for it all, its transcendent.

Here is a look at what we have planned:

Randy Whitehouse, former Sun Journal sports writer: “I’ll be watching the game at home with my son, who is coming home from Orono for the weekend so we can watch it together. It will be nice to be able to watch a game without having to text with him constantly because I miss half the game doing that. We don’t have anything else special planned except I’ll have a couple of cheap cigars ready for us to smoke when the Pats win.”

Dave Marquis, Lewiston: “Carlton Club! Great party every year. It’s usually a small group but always a good time.”

P.J. Mottram, with cakes in football shapes: “I made them for the big game! We’re going to a party at a friend’s house.”

Stacey Alicia Hall, Auburn: “I make way too much food (Pinterest is evil) and the guys watch the game while the rest of us play cards against humanity and the dogs get a ton of love.”

Deborah Botts: “Cooking, eating, drinking, homework, struggling over which team I hate more.”

Sally Townsend Theriault, Rumford: “I’ll be watching for the commercials.”

Dana Fields, Lewiston: “Ordering Buffalo Wild Wings with my son and bringing it home just in time for the game. Third year in a row.”

Michelle Sylvester, Mainer currently living in the South: “I plan on watching only because of the Pats. Then I will be looking forward to making fun of Katy Perry at the half time. I cant wait!”

Sandy Rozanski, Auburn: “I always root for the home teams but never watch. I am not a ‘sportsie’ but I love the Super Bowl commercials, most especially any with the Bud team and wagon.”

Michael Morin, Lewiston: “I am going to (Mark LaFlamme’s) house. I am going to drink your beer, eat your food, and when you run out I am going to leave!”

Jo-Anne Leonard Teacutter, Greene, “Buffalo chicken dip on my chaise lounge. GO PATS!”

Lori A. Hallett, Auburn, “Well, I don’t really follow football, but I have been invited to one of my daughter and son-in-law’s for the game. If I go, I’d be happy to stay in the kitchen and take care of the food — and watch the commercials.”

Adam Smith, Auburn: “Jello shots.”

Jonathan LaBonte, Auburn mayor: “Party at Chez LaBonte. We’re gonna have mad Bourque’s chicken wings, lots of delicious Baxter beer, Ma Tante Pauline ‘s Magic kielbasa and other fixin’s.”

Forrest Austin: “At Fast Breaks (in Lewiston.) They will be having a free buffet for three hours leading up to the game.”

Tracy Clark Gosselin, Lisbon: “Knitting. I knit during games.”

Kevin C. Mills, Sun Journal sports writer: “Barreled Souls Brewing in Saco is having a Super Bowl Party and Chili Cookoff.”

Bonny Gonya, Dixfield: “Having friends and family over. Just made Jello shots for Sunday. Traditional football food but making them a ‘less calorie’ way. Shhh …”

Michael Macdonald, Greene: “Going to the Twins in Lewiston. Come on down.”

Ian MacMunn, Greene: “I’ll be at the Blue Goose (in Lewiston), hopefully watching Seattle repeat. And yes, I’m torn because I like NE, but Seattle is where my heart is.”

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