ATLANTA — Fans are flocking to Atlanta to see which Historically Black Colleges and Universities will receive the crown for band of the year.
It’s a competition fans look forward to every year along with the annual Celebration Bowl, which features the winners of the SWAC and MEAC football conferences.
Angela Gibson arrived in town from Miami. She’s headed to the game. And she doesn’t follow either team involved.
“Just the HBCU affair,” she gave as the reason for attending.
Fans who love all things HBCU are in town ready to explore all the city has to offer.
They are checking into hotels and eating at restaurants.
“We’re gonna do the Ferris Wheel. We’re seeing some things we want to do,” said Jackson State University fan D’mia Newell.
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Fans are also here for the Band of the Year competition. It was previously known as the Battle of the Bands.
Fans say the competition between Florida A&M, North Carolina A&T, Miles College and Virginia State will be epic.
Some who’ve seen the competition say people in attendance are in for a treat.
“Excitement. Transformative. The battle of the bands is electrifying, said Glasetta Richardson Barksdale.
Fans are hyped up for the Celebration Bowl as well. Jackson State fans are forecasting a win.
“JSU rock the house. All day,” one fan said.
But South Carolina State fans are forecasting a win as well.
“Go Dawgs,” a group of fans screamed.
The manager at Rosie’s Cafe near the stadium doesn’t care who wins. That’s because she said the cafe is winning with the two events in town.
“We get all the foot traffic. And we love it. We enjoy the crowds,” Jennifer Burch said.
The Band of the Year competition started at 7 p.m. Friday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The Celebration Bowl takes place there Saturday at noon. You can watch it LIVE on Channel 2. which
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