Week of festivities to culminate in the 77th annual Magic City Classic

The football squads from Alabama A&M University and Alabama State University will battle in the 77th annual Magic City Classic at Legion Field on Oct. 27 at 2:30 p.m.

But the game’s merely the climax of an entire week of festivities including parties, tailgating and entertainment as fans of both colleges show off their school spirit.

“It’s the largest HBCU classic in the country and has created the precedent for all classics,” said Carrie Coleman, assistant vice president of Bruno Event Team.

Festivities include the Classic Kickoff block party downtown, with Keke Wyatt, other national musical acts to be announced and local acts Just A Few Cats and Yung Vokalz. 

A downtown parade will be held gameday at 8 a.m., with more than 30 marching bands. A tailgate party will begin at Legion Field gameday at 10 a.m. with DJs, live entertainment and prizes. Classic weekend also features a special celebrity ambassador, who had not been named at press time.

 Rickey Smiley, Tom Joyner and FunnyMaine are among the other entertainers expected to appear, Coleman said. The 2017 Classic drew 61,879 fans, she said.

Tickets start at $25. For details, visit magiccityclassic.com.