Road closures scheduled ahead of bowl games at Camping World Stadium

ORLANDO, Fla. – Camping World Stadium in Orlando will be hosting a pair of bowl games in the coming days and to prepare for the influx of visitors and traffic, several streets in the area will be closed. 

Virginia Tech and Oklahoma State University will face off in the Camping World Bowl at 5:15 p.m. Thursday and on Monday, Louisiana State University and Notre Dame will go head-to-head at 1 p.m. in the Citrus Bowl. 

Fans started getting excited for Thursday's game with the Camping World Bowl Parade of Bands in downtown Winter Park. Bands from both universities marched down Park Avenue pumping up fans.

Virginal Tech fan Joanne Franks said the game will be rough on her divided family.

"My husband and I and our nephew go to Virginia Tech. We now live in Dallas. My son now goes to Oklahoma State and my daughter is going to go to Oklahoma State," Franks said. "We're a family divided, but the Hokies are going to win!"

Oklahoma State fan Ron Jarman made the trip down from Moore, Oklahoma, to watch the Cowboys play. He said he would rather be in Orlando than back home in the freezing temperatures.

"No comparison. It's snowing back home. This is super," Jarman said. 

Fans started tailgating outside the stadium hours before kickoff  on Thursday. Out-of-town guests said they're thankful for the warmer temperatures.

"I think the weather is a little bit nicer," Virginia Tech fan Chip Rowley said.

Florida Citrus Sports officials estimate 100,000 people will be in town for both bowl games and will generate an estimated $70 million economic impact.                               

Below is a list of road closures scheduled in the area: 

Camping World Bowl
Closures at 8 a.m.:
-West Church Street at Rio Grande Avenue to South Tampa Avenue in both directions
-Westbound West Church Street from North Nashville Avenue to Rio Grande Avenue
-South Street at Rio Grande Avenue
-Rio Grande Avenue at West Anderson Street to Church Street
-Colyer Street at Rio Grande Avenue

Additionally, the Church Street closure between Rio Grande Avenue and South Tampa Avenue will remain in place until Monday evening.
 
Citrus Bowl
Closures at 7 a.m.:
-West Church Street at Rio Grande Avenue to South Tampa Avenue in both directions
-Westbound West Church Street from North Nashville Avenue to Rio Grande Avenue
-South Street at Rio Grande Avenue
-Rio Grande Avenue at West Anderson Street to Church Street
-Colyer Street at Rio Grande Avenue

Police said anyone taking a taxi or using a ride share should tell the driver they are going to Camping World Stadium and the driver will know where the drop-off area is.