The City of Memphis is teeming with excitement as the 35th annual Southern Heritage Classic (SHC) prepares to take the stage this weekend. A hallmark event for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), the SHC brings together Tennessee State University and the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff for a rematch in front of thousands at Liberty Park. As WREG reported, activities will span from a college and career fair to a much-anticipated football game, alongside a parade and performances by R&B icons Tamia and Joe.
Festivities commence today with the Classic College and Career Fair in the morning and a coaches luncheon by midday. In the evening, fans will get to enjoy the musical stylings of Tamia and Joe at the Landers Center. Meanwhile, the football game—an anchor event—will kick off at 6 p.m. tomorrow at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. The acclaimed AutoZone Halftime Show is set to feature performances from marching bands of the respective universities, as noted by FOX13 Memphis.
Margaret "Chris" Whitfield, a staunch attendee who's witnessed 35 years of the classic, echoed the event's significance to the community, saying, "You know we're going to have fun, we're coming again and again." Local Memphis highlighted how the SHC remains a profound economic boon for Memphis, attracting approximately 50,000 visitors and boosting the local economy by more than $20 million.
Despite current renovation work on the Liberty Bowl disrupting some of the usual accommodations, the SHC is still seen as a vital part of the city's cultural and economic landscape. According to Wayne Tabor, President and CEO of the Metropolitan Memphis Hotel & Lodging Association, in a statement obtained by Local Memphis, "Our occupancies for downtown Memphis are better this weekend than they have been for a while," indicating a strong return to form following the pandemic's impact on hospitality sectors.
The extravaganza will also include an 8 a.m. tailgate and an 11 a.m. Battle of the Bands tomorrow, ensuring the day is packed with community spirit and competition before the evening football clash. All of these components piece together the enduring tapestry of the SHC, a weekend that showcases the vibrancy and resilience of Southern heritage and HBCU pride. For information on all scheduled events and tickets, interested parties can visit the links detailed in the respective reports by WREG, Local Memphis, and FOX13 Memphis.
