LEWISTON — Fans of all ages gathered at the Franco Center on Sunday night to cheer on the Patriots in the center’s first, free to the public, Super Bowl party.
Not known for putting on an event halfway, the center decorated tables and chairs for the occasion. Colored lights flashed from above and a 10-foot screen adorned the stage area with another large flat-screen out back by the bar.
Franco Center Director Mitch Thomas worked the crowd — greeting people, making sure the kitchen ran smoothly and raffle tickets were sold.
“It’s a successful event,” Thomas said. “The people that are here are really having a great time and we’re glad to have a place where people can come and sit in a family-friendly atmosphere and watch the game.”
Thomas said they had contests as well. “At the end of each quarter we’re going to draw for some free food.”
The kitchen, staffed by volunteers, provided wings, dogs, chili, pizza and the always popular sausage and onion sandwich — all for just a nominal fee.
Thomas said about 10 volunteers as well as some of the center staff came together to help decorate, plan and prepare food for the enthusiastic crowd.
To add to atmosphere, the center added a large sofa in front of the screen that was referred to as the 50-yard line. Families and groups rotated possession of the sofa for a period of time as Thomas emceed the giveaways.
The Barrett family from Poland crammed themselves onto the sofa for their turn. Parents Jay and Ashlea crowed in next to Hannah, 13, Ella, 9, and Natalea, 5. There was even a friend of the girls tucked somewhere in-between.
Jay was wearing a shirt reading “Belichick my balls” on the front and #inflatethis across the back.
Jay Barrett said he was drawn to the Franco Center’s party because of his connections there and his own volunteer work.
“I’ve done a few shows and that kind of thing,” he said.
For the 50-yard line crowd, the only thing better than watching the game on a 10-foot screen was possibly watching the commercials. The Fiat — Viagra commercial had the whole crowd cheering.
A full bar was located in the back with any number of mixed drinks as well as an ample beer selection. Despite its presence, this was no bar atmosphere as kids routinely got up from their seats and threw passes to each other before running pretend goals between the tables.
The room came to its feet early in the game with a Edelman reception in the second quarter followed by a touchdown. An elated Richard Martin of Lewiston ran through the room, high-fiving the crowd.
The Seahawks answered by tying up the game but a Gronkowski touchdown shortly after made the whole room erupt.
By halftime, while Katy Perry belted out “Firework,” across town Rose Small was beside herself. The Seahawks had evened the score again before heading into the locker room.
At 90-years-old, the spunky Patriots superfan who graced the pages of the Sun Journal in November said she was a nervous wreck.
Showing off items from a package the New England Patriots sent her following the article, Small could hardly stand still as she spoke of “her boys.” She added the pictures and program the team sent her to her myriad of collectibles.
In the end, it was Butler’s interception that cinched it for the the Patriots. If Small’s Italian curse had anything to do with it, she’ll never tell.
dmcintire@sunjournal.com
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