Supporters of the biennial Congressional Football Game for Charity and its gridiron warriors will get to hobnob at a VIP “tailgate” party Wednesday, a week before one team enjoys the sweet taste of victory (which, in football, usually tastes a lot like Gatorade).  

Organizers of the event had originally hoped to leave bipartisanship on the sidelines and pit Republicans against Democrats, which would have set up a draft of Capitol Police and National Football League alumni.  

But with more than twice as many Republicans participating as Democrats, the teams would look less like equal sides and more like a House Rules Committee meeting. So the game will honor the tradition of pitting Congress, aka the “Mean Machine,” and NFL alumni against U.S. Capitol Police, aka “The Guards.” And draft night — usually the one night even the most tortured fan has hope for (except for maybe Philadelphia Eagles supporters) — will instead be the purview for an invite-only party for participants, sponsors and supporters.  

The VIP party will take place Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m., at the offices of the American Trucking Associations, located at 430 First St. SE. The evening is sponsored by Comcast and The Beer Institute.  

The game itself will be onWednesday, Oct. 28, at Watkins Recreation Field — 420 12th St. SE — with a 7:20 p.m. kickoff.  

Tickets for the game are $10, available at either the event on game day or in advance at congressionalfootballgame.org. Proceeds will benefit the Capitol Police Memorial Fund, Our Military Kids and A Advantage 4 Kids, Inc.

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