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March Madness descended upon the Twin Cities as the metro hosted its first NCAA Final Four Basketball Finals since 2001, with plenty of other associated entertainment in tow, whether a fan of college hoops or not.
Among the other related activities were the NCAA Fan Fest (open Fri-Mon at the Convention Center) and the Tip-Off Tailgate, an open air area of food, booths, and activities set up along Nicollet Mall featuring a free-to-ride, ten-story high Ferris Wheel.
NCAA Fan Fest is described as a "sports wonderland" and included interactive games, celebrity and athlete appearances/autograph sessions, home run derby, rock climbing, and more. Capital One cardholders and kids 12 were under free and everyone else paid a small admission fee.
The sponsor-heavy exhibit filled the convention center offered numerous photo opportunities, new product tastings, car showings, video gaming, other sports activities as diverse as lacrosse, hockey, and football.
There was a chance to shoot baskets while riding a bucking bronco-like swerving basketball and a pick up medieval caged version of Game of Thrones basketball (?!), culminating in a chance to sit on a replica of the fabled throne chair itself, and one could also view the actual NCAA championship trophy on display.
With all of the corporate sponsorship involved, it maybe should have been free to everyone, but was likely a fun afternoon for any family with pre-teen kids.
Stepping outside a few blocks away was the outdoor Tip-Off Tailgate area, which filled pedestrian-only Nicollet Mall for blocks. In addition to the Ferris Wheel (which was only a 20min or so, wait to get on), food trucks and booths, product samplings, an outdoor stage and several screens were up, so the crowd could watch the games, happening just a few blocks away at sold-out U.S. Bank Stadium.
NCAA Fan Fest and the Tip-Off Tailgate were fun weekend additions to the city hosting The Final Four basketball games, and a free or low-cost way to spend the afternoon in the fleetingly nice early April weather. The tournament moves to Atlanta and their new stadium, next year.
(click on any photo below to enlarge and see full image)
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Tip Off Tailgate |
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NCAA Fan Fest |
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NCAA Fan Fest |
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