For more information, contact:
The St. Louis Sports Commission
314-345-5121
bshulman@stlsports.org

“ARCH REVELRY” ON THE LANDING KICK OFF BIG WEEKEND OF FAN ACTIVITIES SURROUNDING STATE FARM ARCH RIVALRY

 

RIVERBOAT RACE AND TAILGATES HIGHLIGHT PREGAME FESTIVITIES ON GAMEDAY

 

         ST. LOUIS – Sept. 1, 2009 – The college football season for Illinois and Missouri kicks off Saturday in St. Louis.  But for Illini and Tiger fans, the party gets started Friday night – and the fun continues throughout the weekend.

From 5:30 p.m. to midnight Friday (Sept. 4), Laclede’s Landing hosts “Arch Revelry on the Landing.”  It will be the place to be for students, alumni and fans on the eve of the State Farm Arch Rivalry.  The event features music on multiple corners of Second Street, a battle of the university pep bands, spirit squad appearances and much more.  There is no cost to take in the festivities.

On Saturday, the rivalry moves to the river, where fans can participate in a new event added to the Illinois-Mizzou football weekend schedule.  A special riverboat race will take place on the Mighty Mississippi featuring a University of Illinois boat versus a University of Missouri boat.  Fans can board their team’s designated riverboat on the St. Louis Riverfront and compete in the race down the Mississippi River.  Everyone aboard receives a complimentary drink and continental breakfast.  Tickets are $19 per person and can be booked online at www.gatewayarch.com or by calling 877-982-1410.  Boarding begins at 9 a.m. with departure at 9:30 a.m.  The race ends underneath the Eads bridge at approximately 10:15 a.m.
       
Following the riverboat race, fans can enjoy live music at the Bud Light Tailgate Party in Baer Plaza (immediately east of the Edward Jones Dome) and interactive games on Convention Plaza (south of the Dome) – all beginning at 11 a.m.  The Illinois and Mizzou alumni associations will also stage pregame events near Broadway and Convention Plaza.  After the game, Laclede’s Landing welcomes fans for the free Big Muddy Blues Festival, which takes place Saturday and Sunday.

The complete schedule of events surrounding the 2009 State Farm Arch Rivalry appears below.  For more information on the game, affiliated activities, directions and parking, visit www.statefarmarchrivalry.com.  Fans needing assistance reserving hotel rooms for the Arch Rivalry weekend can call the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission at 800-916-8937 or log on to www.explorestlouis.com.

The State Farm Arch Rivalry is hosted by the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission and the St. Louis Sports Commission.  The Arch Rivalry series continues next year.  The Illini and Tigers will open the 2010 season in St. Louis on Sept. 4. 

ARCH RIVALRY TICKETS AVAILABLE:  Fewer than 4,000 tickets remain on sale for the State Farm Arch Rivalry.  Most of the available seats are $35, with a small number located in other price categories.  Fans can purchase tickets online at www.ticketmaster.com, by phone at 314-241-1888 or (toll-free) 800-745-3000, and at all Ticketmaster outlets.  A $3 per ticket facility fee and Ticketmaster convenience charges will also apply.  Please note that advanced tickets are not sold at the Edward Jones Dome box office, but the box office will be open at 10 a.m. Saturday.

STATE FARM ARCH RIVALRY WEEKEND SCHEDULE

FRIDAY, SEPT. 4

Bud Light Arch Revelry on the Landing
5:30 p.m. to Midnight – Laclede’s Landing
Featured events include:

• “Battle of the Bands” with the Illinois and Missouri pep bands performing at 8 p.m. on Second Street in front of Hannegan’s.
• Spirit Squad appearances on Second Street.

Arch Rivalry Weekend Kickoff Party Presented by the St. Louis Sports Commission Associates
5:30 to 8 p.m. – The Over/Under Bar & Grill – 911 Washington Ave. 
The St. Louis Sports Commission Associates, a group of area young professionals who volunteer to assist the organization's efforts, are hosting a special kickoff party at the new Over/Under Bar & Grill on Washington Avenue.  Proceeds benefit the Sports Commission's charitable Sports Foundation and help fund the Arch Rivalry Youth Football Clinic on Sept. 5.  Tickets are $30 and include heavy appetizers and an open bar.  Fans can purchase tickets by visiting http://stlsportsarchrivalry.eventbrite.com/.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 5

Arch Rivalry Youth Football Clinic
8 to 10:30 a.m. – Edward Jones Dome
600 area kids ages 10-14 will participate in a free clinic taught by top area coaches and former players on the turf at the Edward Jones Dome, just hours before the Fighting Illini and Tigers take the field.  Participants will learn fundamentals, character building lessons and the importance of demonstrating good sportsmanship.

Illinois vs. Missouri Riverboat Race
9 to 10:30 a.m. – St. Louis Riverfront
(See details above.)  Fans can reserve their spots by visiting www.gatewayarch.com.

Illinois Headquarters
10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. – Broadway and Convention Plaza
Hosted by the University of Illinois Alumni Association.

Bud Light Tailgate Party
11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. – Baer Plaza and Convention Plaza
Live music in Baer Plaza and fun for all ages on Convention Plaza.  The Ultraviolets headline the music lineup in Baer Plaza beginning at 11 a.m.  Marching Mizzou and the Marching Illini make appearances between 12:45 and 1:30 p.m.

Mizzou Headquarters
11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. – 6th and Convention Plaza
Hosted by the Mizzou Alumni Association

2009 Illinois vs. Missouri State Farm Arch Rivalry
2:30 p.m. – Edward Jones Dome
Gates open to the public at 1 p.m.

Big Muddy Blues Festival
Postgame to 11 p.m. – Laclede’s Landing
www.lacledeslanding.com

SUNDAY, SEPT. 6

Big Muddy Blues Festival
Noon to 11 p.m. – Laclede’s Landing
www.lacledeslanding.com

MONDAY, SEPT. 7

Tour of Missouri Pro Cycling Race – Stage 1
2:30 p.m. – Downtown St. Louis
www.tourofmissouri.com

The St. Louis Sports Commission is the privately funded nonprofit organization that benefits St. Louis through sports.

Its mission is to make the St. Louis region a better place to live, visit, work and play through sports.

- www.stlsports.org -