The Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game, pitting Alabama against Virginia Tech, kicks off at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the Georgia Dome. Prior to the game, Sheryl Crow headlines the free Chick-fil-A Kickoff Concert from noon to 4 p.m. at Centennial Olympic Park. Here's a look at activities downtown on Saturday near and around the game.
Centennial Olympic Park: Nine-time Grammy winner Sheryl Crow will give a free concert in Centennial Olympic Park on Saturday, with Uncle Kracker opening at 2:30 p.m. The gates to the park will open at 11 a.m. and the concert will conclude promptly at 4:30 p.m. 265 Park Avenue West Northwest Atlanta, 404-223-4412, http://www.centennialpark.com/
Also at Centennial Olympic Park, Chick-fil-A has created Tailgate Town, a free attraction, with a barbecue competition (with samples for guests), kids’ inflatables, face-painting, a cornhole contest and food for purchase.
Tailgating: Some serious tailgating will be taking place at the parking facilities all around the Dome and in the plaza immediately outside the arena, which will host perhaps the most refined tailgating of all. That little picnic, catered by the Tailgate Guys in the International Plaza, is a "turnkey operation." No tailgate required. Just walk up and eat. But, like the indoor parties staged in the adjacent Georgia World Congress Center — the Bama Bash and the Virginia Tech Tailgate — the Tailgate Guys' affair is sold out.
The real tailgating however, the kind that involves a car, will be happening in downtown parking lots. Officials request that tailgaters keep in mind a few rules: One vehicle per space. Sidewalks must remain clear. No deep fryers, open flames, disorderly conduct, weapons, fireworks, amplified sound systems, inappropriate or vulgar music or inappropriate language. For a complete guide to tailgate etiquette, visit: http://on-ajc.com/19QBeH1
The FanZone: The Chick-fil-A Kickoff game FanZone will host tens of thousands of football aficionados in the C Level halls of the adjacent Georgia World Congress Center. The FanZone will have marching bands, interactive games and a "team walk" by the Alabama and Virginia Tech teams. Admission is $10 with a Kickoff Game ticket, $15 without ticket. 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. The Team Walks begin at 3:00 p.m. chick-fil-akickoffgame.com/
For game coverage, see our sports pages at ajc.com and MyAJC.com (subscription required)
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