2017 Birmingham Bowl Events: What To Know Before You Go

TAMPA, FL – While the City of Birmingham, Ala., will roll out the red carpet for USF and Texas Tech ahead of the 2017 Birmingham Bowl, the city will also host several events leading up to the big game.

Starting on Tuesday, Dec. 19, Birmingham will open its doors for some Southern hospitality for fans of the Bulls and the Red Raiders as they make their way for the 2017 Birmingham Bowl.

Here’s what fans need to know before you go to the 2017 Birmingham Bowl events:

Shuttle Bus Service

The Birmingham Bowl offers complimentary shuttle bus service to the game, the surrounding events and to Birmingham’s entertainment districts. The Uptown stop serves the Sheraton Birmingham and Westin hotels and serves as a central transfer point for all shuttles. Pickup for all Uptown shuttles is outside the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. Pickup for the White Shuttle at Uptown is at the Riverchase Galleria Mall/Restaurants. Pickup for the Red Shuttle at Uptown is at the Five Points South Restaurant/Entertainment District and to Dreamland BBQ.

All routes are expected to run on 30-minute intervals.

Tuesday, Dec. 19

Monday Morning Quarterback Club Welcome Dinner

6:30 p.m., Sheraton Birmingham Ballroom, 2101 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N.

Birmingham’s Monday Morning Quarterback Club will host its Welcome Dinner on Tuesday, Dec. 19 at 6:30 p.m. at the Sheraton Birmingham Ballroom. The organization offers a fast-paced program with a keynote speaker and a Q&A session with USF Head Coach Charlie Strong and Texas Tech Head Coach Kliff Kingsbury. NFL great Cornelius Bennet will be honored as the Golden Flake Legend of Birmingham during the dinner.

Tickets for the dinner are $75 per person or $1,000 for a Corporate Table for 10. Proceeds from the event goes to support the MMQBC’s charitable arm, the Crippled Children’s Foundation. Since 1929, the foundation has provided direct financial support to charities that provide vital medical services to children when services otherwise would not be available. For tickets, visit www.mmqbc.org.

Shuttle bus schedule: The Entertainment Shuttles runs from 11 a.m. to midnight with pickup ever 30 minutes. The Red Shuttle runs from Uptown to Five Points South and Dreamland BBQ. The White Shuttle runs from the Galleria/Hyatt Regency to Uptown.

Friday, Dec. 22

Uptown Street Fest

North end of downtown Birmingham, adjacent to Interstate 20/59 and the Birmingham Museum of Art

The Birmingham Bowl Uptown Street Fest is an entire afternoon full of partying for fans and fun-seekers:

Live Music on the Miller Light Stage

The Miller Light Stage will host two live bands to start of the festivities. While the bands play, interactive games, corporate displays and food and beverages for all ages will be available. The following acts will perform during the event:

• 1 to 2:30 p.m. – Martini Shakers
• 2:30 to 4:45 p.m. – Rock Candy Band

Texas Tech Pep Rally

At 5 p.m., the Red Raiders coaches, players, cheerleaders and marching band will appear on the main stage for their pre-game pep rally.

USF Pep Rally

At 5:30 p.m., Bulls coaches, players, cheerleaders and marching band will appear on the main stage for their pre-game pep rally

Fireworks

Following the USF Pep Rally at 6 p.m., fireworks will light up the nighttime sky.

Shuttle bus schedule: The Entertainment Shuttle runs from 11 a.m. to midnight while the Street Fest and Pep Rally shuttles run from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. The Red Shuttle runs from Uptown to Five Points South and Dreamland BBQ. The White Shuttle runs from the Galleria/Hyatt Regency to Uptown. The Blue Shuttle runs from the Hilton/Marriott to Uptown.

Saturday, Dec. 23

Fan Zone

8 a.m. to 11 a.m., Legion Field, 400 Graymont Ave. W.

Fans with tickets or without can visit the 2017 Birmingham Bowl Fan Zone at Legion Field, The event creates a tailgate atmosphere with live music, interactive games, corporate displays and more, with food, drink and activities for all ages.

Shuttle bus schedule: The Fan Zone Shuttle runs from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. while the Entertainment Shuttle runs from 6 p.m. to midnight. For the Fan Zone, the Red Shuttle runs from Uptown, the Sheraton and the Westin to Legion Field. The White Shuttle runs from the Hyatt Regency to Legion Field. The Blue Shuttle runs from the Hilton and Marriott to Legion Field.

For the evening Entertainment Shuttles, the Red Shuttle runs from Uptown to Five Points South and Dreamland BBQ. The White Shuttle runs from the Galleria/Hyatt Regency to Uptown. The Blue Shuttle runs from the Hilton/Marriott to Uptown.

For more information, visit www.BirminghamBowl.com.

Image courtesy of the Birmingham Bowl