The Final Fours are more than mere basketball games. They’re consummate cultural events. If you’re in Denver over the coming days for the women’s contest, or New Orleans for the men’s, you’re not about to become bored – not even if those contests are blowouts.
Here’s what’s up (aside from the games themselves) in the Mile High City:
- Tourney Town holds court every day at the Colorado Convention Center. All weekend long there will be concerts, clinics, and exhibits. Best of all, this venue is gratis.
- The 4Kay Run kicks off at 9 a.m. at Civic Center Park Saturday March 31. The race remembers the late NC State coach Kay Yow, and benefits breast cancer research.
- Talk about getting your kid out of the stands and on to the court, the Mile High Dribble is set for Sunday morning at Civic Center Park. Thousands of kids are expected.
The Big Easy hasn’t hosted a Final Four Men’s showdown since 2003, and the city seems intent in making sure you don’t forget this one. Here’s a taste of what’s going way down yonder in New Orleans:
- Bracket Town is 300,000-plus square feet of family fun, and runs throughout the Final Four at the Morial Convention Center. Play the game, meet iconic coaches and former college stars, get that autograph you’ve always craved.
- Come to The Big Dance, the Concert Series anyway, the one headlining The Black Keys. It’s 11 a.m. till 4 p.m. in Woldenberg Park. The Black Keys latest album, El Camino, debuted No. 2 on the Billboard Top 100.
- Sunday April 1 the Big Dance Concert Series features legendary southern songwriter Jimmy Buffett. 3 to 10 p.m. is the time, and Woldenberg Park is again the place.
Best bet for getting around either Denver or New Orleans is to plan ahead and understand that tens of thousands of your closest friends will be vying for the same seat at the bar. Be patient. You, and that team you’re crazy about, traveled a long, long road to get here. Just enjoy the moment.
Story by Jerry Chandler
(Image: NCAA)
