The Third Saturday in October. Tuscaloosa natives and Alabama fans alike understand this to mean Alabama vs. Tennessee. This historic meeting dates back to 1901 in Birmingham, Alabama, where the two teams played to a 6-6 tie and a rivalry was born. Saturday’s game is significant because it will be the 100th meeting between the two universities. However, Tuscaloosa has more than a major SEC football game on this thrilling fall weekend, there are many more events which you can take part in! The Bonaires and Muscadine Bloodline kick off the weekend with shows at The Lookout, Hotel Indigo’s rooftop bar, and Druid City Music Hall respectively. The 46th Kentuck Art Festival will take place on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days, and wrapping up the weekend is Grammy-winning Kings of Leon, who will be performing at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheatre on Monday night. There is plenty of fun to be had on this exciting October weekend.
If you’re searching for a place to get your groove on over the weekend, Hotel Indigo’s rooftop bar, The Lookout, is the place to be. The Bonaires will be performing beginning at 7 p.m. until 10 p.m., totally free! The Bonaires hail from Tuscaloosa, AL and feature some of the city’s most well-known and seasoned musicians. The music they provide offers a wide variety of genres and styles including R&B, blues, rock & roll, and folk/country. Playing tunes that are familiar and danceable, count on the Bonaires to delight and appeal to all ages!
The music never stops in Tuscaloosa! Muscadine Bloodline is an up and coming contemporary country duo from Mobile, Alabama. Charlie Muncaster and Gary Stanton combined their talents in 2016 and have been continued their rise to the top of the country music scene ever since. Their sound is “unapologetically Alabama” as they put on a live show which includes southern rock jams and country crooners. You don’t want to miss them Friday night at Druid City Music Hall at 9:00 p.m. (doors open at 7:30).
For the 100th time, Alabama and Tennessee will square off on the gridiron as the Crimson Tide looks to extend its ten-game winning streak against the despondent Volunteers. Alabama opened as a 34-point favorite, the largest in series history, and is looking to improve their record to 8-0 on the season. The game kicks off at 2:30 p.m., so be on the lookout for the inevitable haze to envelop Bryant-Denny around 6:00 p.m. For those who don’t know, a 60-year tradition surrounds the Third Saturday in October – the victory cigar. Alabama’s head athletic trainer, Jim Goostree, began handing out cigars following a victory over the Volunteers in the 1950’s. This long-standing tradition had to be kept secret for many years due to NCAA rules concerning extra benefits and tobacco products. However, every year since 2005, the winning squad knowingly violates and self-reports the violation in order to honor the tradition.
A great local spot to go pick out the perfect victory cigar is R&R Cigars, located at 2703 6th street. They offer a wide variety of cigars for all taste preferences, whether a beginner or connoisseur. After finding the cigar of your choice hang around and catch up on all the day’s action in sports, get up to date on the news, or simply enjoy conversation over a cigar. This is a perfect place to relax and recharge after a long day.
The 46th annual Kentuck Art Festival will take place on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (both days) at Kentuck Park in Northport. This historical music and art celebration showcase nearly 300 local, national, and international artists and craftspeople. With experts performing live demonstrations of their skill, kids will be able to participate in hands-on craft making; one of the many reasons why the Kentuck Art Festival is a great time for all ages! Don’t miss this unique community cultural event, get your tickets HERE.
Three-time Grammy-winning group Kings of Leon will conclude the wonderful weekend when they take the stage at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater on Monday night at 7:30 p.m. Kings of Leon is embraced for resurrecting and reinventing Dixie-style rock & roll. The band is currently on a North American tour promoting their seventh album – WALLS. This will be the final show of the season for the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater, so do not miss out on this incredible band!
An October weekend in Alabama is like none other, let alone when it includes the Third Saturday in October. Make sure you get out and enjoy these fall temperatures around the One & Only Tuscaloosa! We have a ton going on throughout the fall months and are excited about the upcoming holiday season. Give us a follow on our social media pages (@visittuscaloosa) for more announcements and future events!
References:
“Alabama/Tennessee to Commit NCAA Violation This Saturday.” Bleacher Report. Accessed October 19, 2017.
Dunnavant, Keith (2006). “The Missing Ring.” The Missing Ring: How Bear Bryant and the 1966 Alabama Crimson Tide Were Denied College Football’s Most Elusive Prize. Macmillan. p. 170. ISBN 978-0-312-33683-7
https://thebonaires.net/. Accessed October 19, 2017.
“The Third Saturday in October.” Associated Press. 2006-10-21. Accessed October 19, 2017.
Contributors: Will Wyatt and Danny Owen