The 82nd edition of the Magic City Classic is finally here. This afternoon at 2:30 p.m., the Alabama A&M University Bulldogs and the Alabama State University Hornets will face off in their historic gridiron rivalry at Birmingham’s Legion Field.

The Magic City Classic parade kicks off at 8:00 a.m. in the streets of downtown Birmingham, featuring the bands and dance teams from both Alabama State University and Alabama A&M University, as well as delegations from both universities. The parade will also feature more than 20 high school marching bands from around Alabama, as well as officials from the city of Birmingham.

The parade will be led by Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin on the famous McDonald’s float.

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During the Magic City Classic press conference on Oct. 25, Perren King, the executive director of the Magic City Classic, said the popularity of the parade is one of the Classic’s pride points.

“The Mcdonald’s Magic City Classic parade is consumed in some way, shape, or form by nearly a quarter of a million people,” said King. “You talk about 100,000 in person, 70,000 that we’re picking up on the Facebook, Meta screen. And another 70,000 that are able to see it live on TV. This is an amazing event that we have.”

Can’t make it out to the parade in downtown Birmingham? The parade will be broadcast LIVE on WBRC FOX 6 in Birmingham, as well as Gray Television affiliates in Huntsville, Montgomery, Dothan and Mobile.

The parade starts on the corner of 18th Street North and 7th Avenue North. Then, the parade will take the following route:

• Right on 19th Street North
• Left on 6th Avenue North
• Right on Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd.
• Right on 4th Avenue North
• Finish: Corner of 16th Street North and 4th Avenue North

The full parade route and map is available on the Magic City Classic website. View a map of the parade route below: