Big game, big party
2/4/2026It’s time for the big game, and that’s the perfect reason to gather with your fellow fans around the big screen to see which team finishes the year with a championship ring. And, you won’t be alone. Record-breaking viewership has been reported the last two years, with 127.7 million U.S. viewers last year, according to ESPN.
Tonya Strawn
Friends, food and fondue
Tonya Strawn and her family members decided to start their Super Bowl “All Fat Sunday” event way back in 1997. It started simple with two boys just wanting to do something different and a love for hot wings. Now, more than 30 people usually attend.
“This consists of dozens of deep-fried appetizers and a fondue pot for tempura and beer batter items, even including desserts,” Tonya says. “Over the years, we have taught many how to fondue without ‘fondon’t.’ The air frier has recently appeared, so we can pretend to be healthy.”
One of her favorite homemade items was an egg roll filled with chopped up sautéed mushrooms, Boursin and cream cheese, like a take on a stuffed mushroom. They also usually do a themed appetizer, like a homemade stuffed egg roll, while paying homage to the teams that are playing. An example would be barbecue smoked pulled chicken when Kansas City played.
“My favorite memories from the years could be placing a TV in the bathroom to not miss any commercials. Once our oldest friend was the only one who made it through a snowstorm to continue the tradition. My house smells of peanut oil for about a week, but it’s so worth it.”
Source: Johnston Living, January 2026; by Ashley Rullestad
Brooke Mickelson
Party planning tips
Brooke Mickelson recently hosted 50 people for a Christmas party. The next week, more than a dozen friends gathered for another holiday party at her family’s home.
When it comes to hosting and entertaining people, she is the go-to person to welcome guests into her home, no matter what the occasion is.
When asked for Super Bowl party ideas, Mickelson sprang into action to offer her best. She even set up a mock Super Bowl party table, complete with a variety of food.
For the Super Bowl theme, she found a stadium-shaped bundt cake pan. She arranged waffle cups with individual syrup “shooters.” Pizza is always a winner, along with seasonal fruit, nuts and other grab-and-go appetizers. Fresh flowers and candles make for festive décor. After photos of the spread, her son and his friends eagerly ate the props.
Mickelson obtains ideas from online sources. She takes advantage of her creativity to make a unique experience for others.
“I do it because I love it. People should know they are welcome here. I want them to help themselves to the fridge if they need something. It’s their place when they are here,” she says.
Source: Jordan Creek Living, January 2026; by Jackie Wilson
Miles Waage
Super Bowl Kids Reporter
The majority of football fans are content to watch the Super Bowl game on television. Tickets are limited — and expensive — so it is rare to attend the Super Bowl game in person.
Yet Miles Waage, 14, of Waukee was one of those fortunate fans. He not only attended, but appeared on television, interviewing the biggest athletes of the game.
The Super Bowl LVII in 2023 was a memorable event for the Waukee student. He and about 68,000 fans attended the game, watching the Kansas City Chiefs take on the Philadelphia Eagles.
Miles, who was 11 years old at the time, was awarded the Panini America Kids Super Bowl Reporter. He collected Panini football cards over the years. Panini holds a contest every year for the Kids Super Bowl Reporter. Kids from all over the nation enter the contest by entering a code from the trading cards and creating a video.
“I played basketball with Kirk Cousins and threw the football around with Garrett Wilson,” he says.
One of his favorite players he interviewed was Patrick Mahomes, quarterback for the Chiefs.
He received merchandise and several signed cards for his football card collection. He and his dad had great seats at the game. His friends thought it was a cool experience.
Source: Waukee Living, January 2026; by Jackie Wilson
Eagles and Broncos fans
Football, family and friendly rivalries
The long-standing rule says that one should never talk politics or religion in polite company. When it comes to football, however, all bets are off. It is not uncommon to have a group of people gathered who have vastly different opinions on which team is the best.
Such was the case one Saturday afternoon when a group of friends gathered at their favorite local dive bar. Margaret DeSio claims the Chicago Bears. Bryce Carlton and her husband, Zach, are the classic house divided: one went to Iowa, the other to Iowa State. Barb and Mark Pessolano are die-hard Eagles fans. They even have matching his and hers pickleball paddles proudly sporting the Eagles logo. Kathy Hanika is much more agnostic.
“I just root for the teams with the cute quarterbacks,” she says with a grin.
Mark and Barb have hosted several Super Bowl parties for their large extended family. They have had as many as 26 family members crowding their house. They serve wings, beef balls, sandwiches, hot roast beef and, of course, Philly cheesesteaks. Their oldest daughter handles the desserts.
“It’s bigger than Thanksgiving,” Mark says. ♦
Source: Urbandale Living, January 2026; by Joe Baumgarten
