Saturday's Illini Game Packed With Pregame Activities
September 23, 2002 | Football
Sept. 23, 2002
There will be plenty of action, both inside and outside of Memorial Stadium this Saturday for the University of Illinois vs. University of Michigan football game. The Big Ten opener kicks off at 2:30 p.m., and prior to that, Illini Street Fest presented by Chevys Fresh Mex starts at 10:30 am.
The highlight of Illini Street Fest this week will be the appearance of the ESPN College GameDay Tailgate Tour. Although the ESPN GameDay talent (Chris Fowler, Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit) will not be in Champaign this weekend, the accompanying tour will feature plenty of interactive events for fans centering on the popular college football show. The tour is really a 48-foot custom-built mobile sports headquarters that features a mock ESPN College Gameday telecast stage, where fans can audition alongside replicas of the GameDay talent. Fans can audition for a chance to actually appear live on the New Year's Day broadcast of ESPN Gameday.
In addition to the ESPN tailgate tour, the POWERade Sports Tour will be at Illini Street Fest. The 18'-semitruck converts into a 53' interactive event featuring games for fans of all ages, including simulated boxing, four Nintendo Game Cube kiosks, simulated parachuting and a human gyroscope.
Pregame activities also include the popular "Illini Walk" at 12:30 pm, when fans can greet the Illinois players as they arrive at the west side of the stadium at the intersection of First Street and Irwin Drive. Free live music can be heard at Illini Street Fest on the Chevys Stage, beginning at 10:30 am. Mike and Joe, a favorite modern rock band on campus will play at noon. The Marching Illini will appear at the Chevys Stage at 1:30 pm.
Saturday's schedule of events follows. For more information, contact the Division of Intercollegiate marketing office at 217-244-0016.
11:00 am - Food sales by Chevys Fresh Mex, Park Inn, Kentucky Fried Chicken Catering begin (Corner of First Street and Kirby Avenue).
Noon - Mike and Joe perform live on the Chevys Stage
12:30 pm - Greet the Illini players as they arrive at the stadium at "Illini Walk"
- (West of the stadium at the corner of First Street and Irwin Drive)
1:30 pm - Marching Illini pregame concert at Illini Street Fest
2:30 pm - Kickoff, Illinois vs. Michigan
Sponsors of Illini Street Fest include: Chevy's Fresh Mex, County Market, Coca-Cola, Kentucky Fried Chicken Catering and Park Inn Hotel and Conference Center in Urbana.
Saturday, September 28 - Illinois vs. Michigan Schedule of Events
10:30 am - Illini Street Fest presented by Chevys Fresh Mex begins
(Corner of First Street and Kirby Avenue)
- ESPN College GameDay Tailgate Tour kicks off
- POWERade Sports Tour opens to the public
- Coca-Cola Interactive games, face painting, mini-golf
- Live music begins at the Chevys Stage
