Southern Heritage Classic keeps growing
The annual Southern Heritage Classic is back for its 29th year. The annual event includes a gridiron showdown between Tennessee State and Jackson State. But as it has proved over the years, the Classic is a multi-faceted event that is just as much about culture and community as it is about football.
The schedule of entertainment and programming leading up to the game includes a concert (featuring Tank, K. Michelle, Ro James and Major), a career fair, a fashion show, a parade, a kids’ run, marching band battles and plenty of tailgating.
The Classic is the brainchild of founder and entrepreneur Fred Jones, who created the multifaceted event in the late-’80s and has watched it grow exponentially over the years. A recent study by the University of Memphis’ Bureau of Sport and Leisure Commerce estimated the direct local economic impact of the Classic is in the $10 million range, with its total impact twice that at more than $20 million.
Here’s a schedule of highlights. For more information, visit southern heritageclassic.com.
FRIDAY
The Tom Joyner Morning Show 5 a.m. at Tiger Lane at the Fairgrounds. There will be a live broadcast on radio station V101 of the Tom Joyner Morning Show, with Joyner, Sybil Wilkes, Stormy, Mike Evans and Stan Bell. Classic College & Career Fair 9 a.m., Pipkin Building at Tiger Lane/ Fairgrounds. Presented by the City of Memphis Office of Youth Services. Regional college and university representatives will be available to provide information about attending college. For information and a list of participating schools, contact Seria Ross at (901) 6366039 or call (901) 636-6264. For more information, go to cityofmemphis youth.org. The event is free. Classic Music Festival 8 p.m., Landers Center. R&B/soul favorites including Tank, K. Michelle, Ro James and Major will perform. Tickets: $85, $75 and $55. All seats are reserved. Tickets are available at the Landers Center Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com or (800) 7453000. SATURDAY Classic Tailgate 8 a.m., Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium parking lot and Tobey Park. Come early and enjoy friends, food and football. Premium Tiger Lane, RV and tailgating packages are available. For more information, call (901) 729-4344. Classic/NIKE Kids 3K 9 a.m., National Civil Rights Museum. This annual run/walk for kids ages 6-14 will get started at 9 a.m. To register, visit racesonline.com. Classic Parade 9 a.m., presented by the Orange Mound Parade Committee as a salute to the Southern Heritage Classic. The parade route runs along Park Avenue from Haynes to Airways featuring area high school marching bands. For information, contact Claudette Boyd at (901) 413-7109 or visit orangemound.vze.com. Classic Fashions & Brunch 11 a.m., Crown Plaza East, 2625 Thousand Oaks Blvd. “Glitz & Glamour” presented by the National Coalition of 100 Black Women Inc. (Memphis Chapter). Tickets: $50. For tickets and information, contact Wendy Porter Jackson at (901) 236-5303 or Katiah Brown at (901) 238-0754.
Southern Heritage Classic Football Game
6 p.m., Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. A great football rivalry featuring Jackson State and Tennessee State. AutoZone Halftime Show will feature JSU’s Sonic Boom of the South and TSU’s Aristocrat of Bands. The “Classic 5th Quarter” will be a grand finale to the Southern Heritage Classic football game featuring a battle of the bands. Tickets: $53, $38 or $23. Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster. com or (800) 745-3000.