TRAVERSE CITY -- The Super Bowl is Sunday night. Did you know more people go to super bowl parties than New Year's Eve parties?
7&4's Kate Fox found out what the hot items for parties in northern Michigan are this year.
It's not just the touchdowns and the half time show that make the Super Bowl such a big deal, half the fun is hosting your own party.
Its Super Bowl time and for food and beverage stores that means stocking up, filling shelves, and making pizza.
At the top of many party planners check lists are snacks and drinks.
Max Bauer’s After Hours Manager Sharon Peacock says, "What we're seeing is people buying more of the main stream beers as opposed to the fancy micro brews, in larger packages to feed a crowd."
Peacock says folks buying in bulk means they have to stock up and increase the size of their orders. This makes it a crazy week for guys like Shane Durga a Pepsi delivery truck driver.
Durga says, "Stores that don't take a lot of certain products have been taking a lot more in conjunction with certain adds they have going on, two liters have been a rather hot commodity."
Speaking of hot….
BC Pizza General Manager Josh Burgess says, "We triple the amount of delivery drivers and things get really hot!Burgess says, BC Pizza Josh Burgess says they sell more than 200 pizzas on Sunday alone. They also pre-order extra dough and ingredients.
Whether they're rooting for the Steelers or the Packers these stores agree on one thing: Super Bowl equals money.
For those that plan to take the party on the road…think twice. Last year nearly 200 people were arrested in Michigan for drunk driving.
Sergeant Randy Fewless with the Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Office says as a party host you have responsibility to think about your guest’s safety.
Fewless explains, "Discontinue serving alcohol or do what you can so that people aren't drinking right before their leaving and then if they are drinking if they can spend the night there-- or if your not drinking yourself offer them a ride home...take care of the guest that you care enough to invite over."
So eat, drink, be merry and may the best team win!
Sergeant Fewless tells me they'll have plenty of patrol cars out Sunday night, making sure the roads stay safe after the big game.
More safety tips:
-Stop serving alcohol at the end of the third quarter and offer plenty of non-alcoholic beverage options.
-Don’t get behind the wheel if you’ve been drinking.
-Never let a friend drive while drunk. If necessary, take their keys.
-Program numbers for local cab companies or ride services in your cell phone
-Always buckle up—it’s your best defense against impaired drivers.
