Several parties for the National Football League’s big stage are planned for this Sunday.

Some folks – yours truly included – have already sent in their RSVP to a Super Bowl bash at the home of a friend or family member.

I’ll be going to the Brookside home of Kurt, who is a longtime friend from my old south Stockton neighborhood. He and his brother-in-law Randy have been hosting this Super Bowl party for years.

This is usually the only time of the year that I’ll see my brother Pete outside of our family functions. Chances are that when I arrive he’ll be in the middle of a poker game, talking loud among his buddies with a cold beer by his side, not to mention a stack of chips.  I’m not talking potato chips.

Kurt and Randy are both Raider fans along with the majority at this annual gathering. No surprise that Kurt’s man-cave of a garage is a shrine to the Silver and Black.

Where will the Vince Lombardi Trophy go? Will it go to the Seattle Seahawks or the Denver Broncos?

I really don’t know if anyone here will have a rooting interest of any of these two teams. But one thing I do know: They’ll be watching their office pool numbers closely.

Fun, family, friends and food – that’s what this Super Bowl has offered over the years. Fun, by the way, can easily be applied to the booze and gambling part.

For a second straight year, I missed out on the office squares – $20 per square with a chance to also win as a neighboring square (horizontal or diagonal spots of the actual winning square).

I made my mark the last time I bought in. That was three years ago when the eventual champions New York Giants sacked New England Patriot quarterback Tom Brady in the end zone early in the game. The result of that was our lucky numbers cashing in as neighboring squares during the first two quarters and being the big winners of the third quarter. Total earnings: $400.

Looking for a Super Bowl party? You can bet that many of the local establishments in Stockton will be airing Super Bowl XLVIII, including:

• Fat’s Grill & Bar at 4555 N. Pershing Ave. Ste. 22, featuring 30 flat screen televisions will be serving up a large one-topping pizza for $10 or chicken wings at 50 cents each. Information
(209) 473-3281.

• Mr. D’s Pizza and Pub, 122 E. Oak St., will be cooking up a choice of either tri tip beef, ribs and chicken served with a choice of salad at $5 per plate. Beer specials will be offered prior to kickoff not to mention tequila specials at halftime. Information:
(209) 941-0881.

• The Graduate at 2207 Country Club Blvd. offers an array of food and drink specials during football season. Information: (209) 463-1669.

• Valley Brewing Company, 157 W. Adams St. (Miracle Mile), can accommodate large crowds for sporting events. What a coincident that the Super Bowl falls on $5 pitcher of beer day (that’s every Sunday, by the way)? Information: (209) 464-2739.

• Finnegan’s Irish Pub & Restaurant, 6002 Pacific Ave., welcome all ages for Sunday breakfast coupled with $9 bottomless mimosas and $6 Irish coffee, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Those here can stay for the big game as featured on the big screen. Information: (209) 951-4782.