The Battle on the State Line Kickoff and Pep Rally is coming to downtown Bristol Sept. 8-9!
 
The event, the brainchild of the Bristol Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with Discover Bristol, the City of Bristol Tennessee, the City of Bristol Virginia, Bristol Motor Speedway and Food City, precedes the Sept. 10 Pilot Flying J Battle at Bristol at Bristol Motor Speedway. The much talked about game pits the University of Tennessee against Virginia Tech in what will be the largest crowd to ever witness a college football game,
 
The Battle on the State Line Kickoff and Pep Rally will simply give game-goers coming into town, as well as locals, some great tailgating options in the downtown area as they prepare for the big game. It’s going to be a veritable once in a lifetime kind of experience!
 
State Street will be decked out in the maroon and orange of the Hokies on the Virginia side of town, and the orange and white of the Vols on the Tennessee side of town. Tennessee and Virginia Tech flags also will also be on display on their respective sides of town. Portions of State St., will be closed Thursday evening through Friday afternoon to accommodate the influx of visitors and allow merchants to expand their stores out onto the sidewalk.
 
Quaker Steak and Lube has been designated as the home base for the Hokies for the tailgating event, while 620 State will serve as the home base for the Vols, as chosen by each university’s alumni association. All downtown merchants are encouraged to decorate their businesses and show their team spirit.
 
Music, headlined by award-winning Folk Soul Revival, along with Brothers of the Highway and James Meadows, will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday evening on the Food City stage, which will be set up on State St. near the Birthplace of Country Music offices near 5^th Street/Lee Street.
 
The Brewfest at Bristol (www.brewfestatbristol.com), a craft beer festival, will take place at the Downtown Center from 5:30-9:30 that evening. With more than 40 breweries expected, this ticketed event will also feature some great live music.
 
One of the highlights of the evening will be a special event at 9:15 that will take place at our historic Bristol Sign.  
 
Live music will continue from Folk Soul Revival and will conclude at 10:15 p.m. Visitors can then explore and frequent the restaurants and live music venues throughout the rest of the evening in historic downtown Bristol.
 
On Friday, as a precursor to the mega Honda Ridgeline presents Bristol’s Tailgate Party concert at BMS, which will feature Kenny Chesney, The Band Perry and Old Dominion, fans will get a chance to meet a number of former players from both Tennessee and Virginia Tech, several of whom have played in the NFL. The players will be on hand to sign autographs and visit the Sports Desk, which will be set up on the stage.  Pep bands from both schools, as well as cheerleaders and mascots, have been invited to participate and to get fan bases pumped up.
 
Fans will also get to participate in painting the University of Tennessee rock and pinning feathers on the Virginia Tech Hokie, which will take place on State St., as well as play cornhole throughout the day. Also on tap is live music from SPANK and Tony Justice, beginning at 11 a.m.  For an  online schedule of events, please visit the Discover Bristol website.
 
We’re literally going to be painting the town orange, maroon and white – so be sure to come out and enjoy the event and support your favorite team!