Families and friends from across the South gathered in Birmingham at 7th Avenue and 18th Street in downtown Birmingham on Oct. 28, 2023 to witness a parade honoring the Magic City Classic later that day.

Over 50 colleges and universities participated in the event, including Alabama State University and Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University, the two colleges whose football teams would be battling it out at Legion Field.

“This has been going on for 82 years,” said Freda Campbell, an alumna who majored in computer science. “And I always went. I just always loved the band, you know ASU is gonna show out anyway. Plus a couple of my friends’ homeboys were drum majors at ASU.”

For Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University alumna Calandra Wiggins, she used to come to the parade every year before the COVID-19 pandemic.  Wiggin’s favorite part of the classic is the parade and due to her status as an alumna it’s a family tradition to attend.

“It’s important because we need to be reminded where we come from and be surrounded by so much culture that we’re familiar with,” Wiggins said.

For some, this is their first time attending Magic City Classic. Eric Penn, who has family that attended Alabama State University, described it as “very interesting and fun”.

“It’s an event where we come together. This is my first Classic, and so far I’m enjoying it! Meeting all the people, watching the parade, and I’m looking forward to State winning,” Penn said.

Kamil Goodman, a current student at Alabama State University, has an overwhelming love for Magic City Classic, “It’s an experience that everyone should have!”.

Goodman stated, “Magic City Classic to me means family. I love the rivalry, D9 organizations and the football teams. Everything just reminds me of a big pot luck. From the Black excellence, cooking, the fellowship and the traditions everyone has, just all in one setting is so amazing!”

The parade was also attended by prominent figures such as Congresswoman Terri Sewell, who even had a car with one of her campaign posters on it as part of the parade.

“I am the proud daughter of two graduates of ASU,” Sewell said. “And growing up in Selma, we always looked forward to coming to Birmingham and staying in a hotel and coming to the parade, and so it’s such an honored tradition in my family.

She continued.

“And it’s just for me to have the opportunity to come to the parade and go to the game and represent Alabama in Congress is an honor and a responsibility that I take very seriously, so it’s all about HBCU pride. Go Hornets!”