I have to make a stunning admission.

I’ve never actually been to the “World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party.”

Oh, I’ve been to a few Florida-Georgia games, but my experience was limited to watching football from the stadium press box. I’ve never been to The Landing, never tailgated in Jax, never sat in the orange/blue/red/black stands. Basically, I’ve never had any of the traditional fun.

Shocking, isn’t it?

I know some of you think I must be a tailgating expert since my face adorns this blog on http://Gatorsports.com/tailgating. But the truth is that I am merely an observer, and something of a newbie at that. This year I will trek to Jacksonville and turn it all around.

I know both schools have asked that we not refer to this big game as a cocktail party (and for good reason), but really the game and the party are two distinct things. I’ll be fortunate enough to sample both, and you can follow me on http://www.twitter.com/gator_sports.

Other than a visit to The Landing, one event I’m planning to stop by is called the Championship Dreams Festival (think Fan Land), located outside of Jacksonville Municipal Stadium’s South End Zone.

There will be a Sports Illustrated/Nissan tent where signing autographs will be former UF Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel (from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.), SI senior writer Dan Patrick (noon to 2 p.m.) and former Georgia All-America running back Garrison Hearst (from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.).

Here is some other stuff to do, courtesy of Visit Jacksonville:

Live Entertainment

• The Jacksonville Landing is the gathering place to show off your school colors. Live entertainment is scheduled in the courtyard, overlooking the St. Johns River, as well as on the Hogan Street stage. Restaurants and bars welcome fans with outdoor vendor booths and great deals. The game is broadcast live on the outdoor Jumbotron on Saturday. For more information, call (904) 353-1188 or visit http://www.jacksonvillelanding.com.

• The Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena has two shows lined up for the last week in October. First up is some hard-hitting rock, as Nine Inch Nails take the stage on Oct. 29. Don’t miss crooner Neil Diamond in concert Thursday, Oct. 30 at the Arena. Sing along to classics such as Sweet Caroline, Coming to America and more. Tickets for both shows are available at the Arena box office and through Ticketmaster. Call (904) 353-3309 or visit http://www.jaxevents.com.

• Corey Smith takes the stage at the historic Florida Theatre on Oct. 31. Smith has an innovative, southern style that draws the audience in. (Editor’s Note: He’s a big-time Georgia fan). The current tour features songs from his latest project, “Hard-Headed Fool.” Tickets are available at the Florida Theatre box office or through Ticketmaster. Call (904) 355-2787 or visit http://www.floridatheatre.com.

Halloween Celebrations

• The Jacksonville Zoo’s annual Spooktacular takes place Oct. 24, 25, 26, 30 and 31, Nov. 1. Come to Pumpkinville, the land of pumpkins, for a “spook”tacular good time at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens’ annual Halloween celebration. Kid-friendly event features live entertainment, music, bounce houses, face painting and more! Visit the Enchanted Forest with a prince and princess or laugh along as you walk through the funny bone tunnel. Children are encouraged to wear costumes and stop by treat-stations located throughout the zoo. Call (904) 757-4463 or log on to http://www.jacksonvillezoo.org.

• Have a frightening good time at Adventure Landing Jacksonville Beach at the Hall of Terror, a haunted house attraction loaded with spooky fun and horrifying haunts Oct. 29 through Nov. 1. Enter at your own risk and encounter zombies, ghouls and other frightening creatures. For those looking for something “not-so-scary,” try Adventure Landing’s HalloWEE Zone. Children will enjoy participating in arts, crafts, games, face painting and more from Oct. 28-31. Call (904) 246-4386 or visit http://www.adventurelanding.com.

• The Museum of Science & History (MOSH) also celebrates Halloween. The museum is transformed into a haunted one with scientific experiments, ghoulish games and ghost tours of temporarily haunted exhibits. Costume and scream contests will also be part of the action at this annual frighteningly fun fall festival Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. Call (904) 396-MOSH or visit http://www.themosh.org.

• WAPE 95.1 and MetroPCS present the first annual Big Ape Gravedigger’s Ball on Oct. 31. There will be a costume contest, entertainment with DJ Miguel Alvarez and tons of fun for guests ages 21 and up. The event takes place at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront. Log on to http://www.wape.com for more information.

Other Fun Activities

• As fall arrives in town, so does the Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair beginning Oct. 31. Check out the latest rides, nightly entertainment and agricultural displays and don’t forget to get a taste of your favorite fair food! Fans with a 2008 Georgia vs. Florida ticket can enjoy free gate entry to the fair on Saturday, Nov. 1. Call (904) 353-0535 or visit http://www.jacksonvillefair.com.

• Celebrate your team’s victory and a great weekend at River City Brewing Company for Sunday Brunch along the St. Johns River. Enjoy a buffet filled with a carving station of ham and roast beef, a seafood station filled with crab legs and boiled shrimp, a breakfast station with made to order omelets along with other morning favorites. An assortment of vegetables, chicken and pasta entrees are also available and don’t miss the dessert section – filled with a variety of cakes and pies. Call (904) 398-2299 or visit http://www.rivercitybrew.com.

• Shoppers will delight with the opening of 40 new stores exclusive to Northeast Florida market at the St. Johns Town Center. Home furnishings, jewelry, footwear, specialty stores and of course, fashion, are among the highlights opening just in time for holiday bargains. New stores include: Abercrombie, Aldo, Arden B., Baker’s, Bebe Sport, Betsey Johnson, BCBG, Brooks Brothers, Coach, Guess, MAC Cosmetics, Marciano, Pottery Barn, Sole Mio, The Walking Company, Tommy Bahama, Urban Outfitters and West Elm. Call (904) 998-7156 or visit http://www.simon.com.

• For more information about Jacksonville call (800) 733-2668 or log on to http://www.visitjacksonville.com. For additional information on the 86th Annual Georgia vs. Florida Football Classic and surrounding events, call (904) 360-3690 or visit http://www.flga.org.