The Magic City Classic is by far the most celebrated annual event in the city we call home. Two distinguished HBCUs, Alabama State University and Alabama A&M University, meet at Legion Field every October to fight for the title of best football team–but that’s only a small percent of the weekend’s fun. Tailgates, great food, extravagant parties, concerts, parades, and a showdown between the Mighty Marching Hornets and the Marching Maroon and White don’t even cover the endless festivities found during this most cherished time of the year in Birmingham.
The event brings in thousands of alumni and fans, and over a million dollars in revenue for the city each year. Previous celebrity ambassadors include worldwide names like Don Cheadle, Ice Cube, and Magic Johnson along with famous Alabamians including Ruben Studdard, Rickey Smiley, Charles Barkley, and Willie Mays. Post-game concerts of the past have featured gigantic names in entertainment like Gucci Mane and 2 Chainz. DJ D-Nice, who launched into the next level of stardom with his Club Quarantine series, will provide both ambassador and post-game concert duties this year.
Birmingham is all in on this year’s Classic, with a Block Party featuring food trucks and Fly V classic-edition t-shirts Friday along with shuttles to the game being among the Magic City’s official welcoming initiatives. The city’s restaurants, bars, event venues, and more are direct recipients of this influx of dollars, and provide top-notch dining and entertainment in return. But for many in the city, this weekend is beyond business–it’s personal. Multiple Magic City musicians including The Monastery’s Carlos Charm proudly recall their days in one of the two marching bands, and are sure to let you know which. Entrepreneurs known for keeping it formal have already started their trash talk on social media, and will continue to do so as we close out the week. This event is huge financially for the city, but it’s just as important to Birmingham’s vibrancy.
Like every year before it, the 2021 festivities have already begun. Tailgate tents are already set up, Birmingham nightlife has been in full swing all week, and plenty more events are coming up in the next few days to keep your feet moving and your belly full. Worldwide names like Tank, Yung Joc, Chubb Rock, and Chrisette Michelle will be at the BJCC Friday evening. On Thursday, one of Birmingham’s most danceable speakeasies in Bar Sebastian will be hosting a costume party that’s sure to be a good time. Gap Toof, one of the city’s most established entertainment personalities, will be hosting a midnight brunch Thursday along with a day party on Saturday. Many of the city’s best food trucks including Simone’s Kitchen ATL, Fat Charles, and Encore Rouge will be at Club M for the Classic Edition of Food Truck Fridays. And these festivities are only the tip of the party iceberg that’s bound to be even more exciting with Halloween festivities thrown into the mix.
After a delayed 2020 Classic, the city is more ready than ever to let loose, enjoy some good music and food, and talk trash during an iconic rivalry. Birmingham is home to the SWAC headquarters, and to have two of the conference’s finest teams call this city their rivalry’s home for nearly a century is a testament to the power of this weekend. No matter how you choose to celebrate, stay safe and keep on loving the community that makes our city so unique.
Cover Photo: Magic City Classic
