Activities abound throughout Birmingham in the days leading up to the Magic City Classic football game at Legion Field.
As the Alabama State-Alabama A&M Universities game draws thousands to the stadium Saturday, activities happening across the city extend far beyond a sports showdown to a week-long carnival of food, culture and music.
“This is 84 years of something that has been tested and tried and proven to be successful,” Mayor Randall Woodin said during a press event with organizers Wednesday.
Woodfin, the impact of the Classic lasts longer than the annual event itself through its support of education. He called it an investment in the next generation.
“Beyond the parade and beyond the playing field, what this all means for bragging rights for a year until the next game, this tradition goes deeper,” Woodfin said. “What we do today prepares us for what we will do for the next generation. »
What to expect
The Magic City Classic parade downtown begins at 8 a.m. Saturday with bands, students and participants from across the region. The game then begins at 2:30 p.m.
There is still plenty of time to take advantage of paid and free activities:
- R&B and Funk fans will be in a state of euphoria tonight at Birmingham Hippodrome in a free event during the Magic City Classic Tailgate Festival. The event hosted by Jefferson County Commissioner Lashunda Scales features artists Ashanti, October London and legendary funk band Zapp.
Doors open at 3 p.m., with the pre-show at 5 p.m. and the main event at 6 p.m.
- On Saturday, game day shuttles will be available to the CrossPlex, Boutwell Auditorium and Phillips Academy. Tickets cost $5 and can only be purchased with a credit or debit card.
- The City of Birmingham Transportation Department has temporarily closed some roads to make way for regular operations that began Wednesday.
The outside lane of eastbound traffic on Graymont Avenue must be closed. Concrete barricades will close roads leading to Graymont Avenue from West 3rd Street to West 6th Street. Additionally, concrete barricades will be moved to close roads leading to 8th Avenue West, from 3rd Avenue West to 7th Avenue West.
Between now and Friday at 11 p.m., no parking will be allowed on streets that are part of the parade route. Vehicles found parked on the procession after 11 p.m. will be towed. The city will close nearby streets leading to Legion Field Saturday morning starting at 6 a.m.
- Already just steps away in most directions from downtown, there are markers for game week, from the activities of City Walk near the BJCC to the epicenter of the action at Legion Field, where the perimeter is already filled with tailgaters.
- NASCAR and Talladega Superspeedway return to City Walk Birmingham for the Magic City Classic in the second annual Cars + Coffee – NASCAR Classic. The event, taking place Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., will feature celebrity show cars, community car clubs and enthusiasts, as well as live entertainment, food trucks, a “Kidz Zone” and interactive NASCAR experiences.
Among the vehicles is Mayor “Ella Mae” Woodfin’s 1968 Cadillac Eldorado. Food trucks will be on site as well as 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 festivities and pageantry that define the annual classic. The ESPN broadcast will air from Legion Field on Friday.
- Then, finally, on Saturday at Legion Field, the Alabama State Hornets will look for their fourth straight game against the Alabama A&M Bulldogs. The Hornets earned bragging rights again last year with a 27-19 victory.
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