Super Bowl Sunday isn’t a key event on my calendar; like most casual football fans, I watch for the fun commercials and stay for the salty snacks. But this year, I may just skip all that: as an alternative to the big game, the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach is holding their fourth annual Otter Bowl! Watching cute, fuzzy pals playing games and eating all day? Now that sounds like the ideal weekend sporting event.
The otters won’t really be playing football—although can you imagine little helmets made out of shells? I die at the adorable thought. No, these otters will be playing with enrichment toys, palling around with their otter friends, and eating lots, and lots of snacks. That last bit speaks to me on so many levels. Like any major competition there will be a commentator to walk you through the event, with an aquarium educator on hand to be calling the sure to be exciting play-by-play.
You can bet all your favorite otter players will be there—Betty, Brook, and the inimitable Charlie—along with all their otter teammates, back to vie for the championship. Oh, and the otter’s footballs for this competitive match? They’ll be made out of clams. Of course they will. I’m otterly wrecked by the cuteness. The big game starts at 4 p.m. PT on Sunday, February 4, and only lasts an hour because these otters are professionals. The cost of the show is free to Aquarium members and included with general admission for the public. For more information, check out www.aquariumofpacific.org.
Who are you rooting for in Otter Bowl IV? I’ve got a bucket of fish riding on Charlie. Let us know in the comments and if you attend Otter Bowl IV, tag @nerdist and @justjenn so we can enjoy the game with you!
Get your game on with more Super Sunday stories:
- The Castle Rock trailer is already online.
- Peter Dinklage and Morgan Freeman have a Dew-ritos beef.
- Mint chip bagel spread as a super-snack?
