Campus Martius is hosting "The Big Game Detroit Rally" Wednesday in Downtown Detroit. It's a showdown between fans of Michigan and Michigan State Football. The blue and green gridiron field returns with a day full of events for alumni and fans.
The area was buzzing with pep rally, lunchtime field games, after work alumni flag football games, food and a beer tent.
Campus Martius Park will also host Big Game Tailgate Party Wednesday, October 26. The Big Game Detroit Rally and Tailgate Party are part of Quicken Loans Harvest Happenings.
"Last year's first-ever Big Game Detroit Rally at Campus Martius Park was a spirited event that brought many alumni and fans of both Michigan State University and University of Michigan out for some friendly competition," said Robert Gregory, chief planning and public spaces officer of the Downtown Detroit Partnership. "With an additional event day this year, we expect an even bigger turnout and a higher level of enthusiasm."
Here's what organizers have in store for the events:
The Big Game Detroit Rally festivities officially kicked off with a pep rally and field games from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Cheerleaders and marching bands represented the college teams as they stirred up excitement and team spirit for the Spartans and Wolverines!
The field games give everyone a chance to play and compete for prizes in the Tug-of-War and Sack Race competitions. Participants are not required to be a MSU or U-M alumni and everyone is encouraged to sign-up. Tug-of-War will take place at The Beach at Campus Martius Park. Sack Races will take place on the Campus Martius Park grid iron.
Fans are encouraged to wear their team's colors and cheer them on at the Alumni Flag Football Games from 5 - 8 p.m. on the Campus Martius Park gridiron. Alumni from each university are invited to participate as team players. Everyone is invited to attend, cheer and enjoy the fun! Local sports media will serve as play-by-play announcers.
The Alumni Flag Football Games include a total of three rounds of competition with the final game producing the MSU vs. U-M alumni champion. Last year's victor was Michigan State University. All games and competitions are coordinated and refereed by Come Play Detroit and are free for participants and spectators."
You can sign up to participate in the field games or the Alumni Flag Football Games at www.DowntownDetroitParks.com/TheBigGame .
You can also wear your team colors and enjoy the Big Game Tailgate Party after work on Wednesday, October 26 from 5 - 9 p.m. at Campus Martius Park.
More than a dozen popular restaurants in Detroit will serve up tasty samplings of chili and mac & cheese as they compete for People's Choice Awards. There will also be a beer garden featuring Atwater Brewery and cocktails available for purchase, and live music from 7 - 9 p.m. featuring The Randy Brock Group, on of Detroit's hardest working blues/rock bands. Tickets are required for this event and are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Admission includes a commemorative pint glass and keepsake photo. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.downtowndetroitparks.com. This event is 21+.
The complete schedule listing for all Harvest Happenings activities can be found at www.downtowndetroitparks.com.
