Activities abound throughout Birmingham in the days leading to the Magic City Classic football matchup at Legion Field.
While the game between Alabama State and Alabama A&M Universities brings thousands to the stadium on Saturday, activities taking place throughout the city extend well beyond a sports showdown to coalesce as a week-long carnival of food, culture and music.
“This is 84 years of something that is tested and tried and proven to be a success,” Mayor Randall Woodin said during a press event with organizers Wednesday.
Woodfin the impact of the Classic lasts longer than the annual event itself with the support it provides for education. He called it an investment in the next generation.
“Beyond the parade and beyond the gridiron what all of that means for bragging rights for one year up until the next game, this tradition goes deeper,” Woodfin said. “What we do today sets us up for what we do for the next generation.”
What to expect
The Magic City Classic parade downtown begins Saturday at 8 a.m. featuring bands, students and participants from around the region. The game then begins at 2:30 p.m.
There’s still plenty of time to take advantage of activities both paid and free:
- R&B and Funk fans will be in a state of euphoria tonight at the Birmingham Racecourse during a free event during the Magic City Classic Tailgate Festival. The event organized by Jefferson County Commissioner Lashunda Scales features artists Ashanti, October London and legendary funk band Zapp.
Gates open at 3 p.m., with the preshow at 5 p.m. and the main event at 6 p.m.
- On Saturday, game day shuttles will be available at the CrossPlex, Boutwell Auditorium and Phillips Academy. Tickets are $5 and may only be purchased with a credit or debit card.
- The city of Birmingham’s department of transportation has temporarily closed some roads to make way for Classic activities that began Wednesday.
The outside lane to eastbound traffic of Graymont Avenue is to be closed. Concrete barricades will close roads leading to Graymont Ave. from 3rd St. West to 6th St. West. Also, concrete barricades will be moved to close roads leading to 8th Ave. West from 3rd Ave W to 7th Ave. West.
By Friday at 11 p.m. no parking will be allowed on streets that are part of the parade route. Vehicles found parked on the parade after 11 p.m. will be towed. The city will close neighboring streets leading to Legion Field on Saturday morning beginning at 6 a.m.
- Already just a few steps in most directions in the city center, there are markers for the gameday week from activities at City Walk near the BJCC all the way to the epicenter of action at Legion Field, where the perimeter is already filled with tailgaters.
- NASCAR and Talladega Superspeedway returns to City Walk Birmingham for the Magic City Classic during NASCAR’s second Cars + Coffee — Classic Edition. The event, Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., features celebrity show cars, community car clubs and enthusiasts along with live entertainment, food trucks, ‘Kidz Zone’ and interactive NASCAR experiences.
Among the vehicles are “Ella Mae” Mayor Woodfin’s 1968 Cadillac Eldorado. Food trucks will be on site along with live performances from Logan the Entertainer and Sherri Brown.
- ESPN’s First Take will be in town Friday, showing the nation a glimpse of the revelry and pageantry that defines the annual classic. The ESPN show will broadcast from Legion Field Friday.
- Then, finally, Saturday at Legion Field, the Alabama State Hornets will seek their fourth-straight over the Alabama A&M Bulldogs. The Hornets won bragging rights again last year with a 27-19 victory.
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