Know before you go: 2009 SEC Championship weekend
Concerts, autographs and games, like this one from the 2005, fill the SEC Fanfare events that run before the 4 p.m. game on Saturday. AJC file photo
This will be a busy Saturday downtown, between the annual Children’s Christmas Parade and the SEC Championship game.
If you don’t have a ticket to the showdown between the No. 1 Florida Gators and No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide, you’re not alone. But there are other attractions and fan events that’ll cost you a lot less than a seat inside the Georgia Dome.
For those who haven’t spent much time around downtown Atlanta, here’s a basic guide with suggestions for attractions, restaurants and shopping. You can find even more stuff to do around the area in our Weekend To Do List or in the searchable AccessAtlanta.com calendar.
Meanwhile, if you’re trying to find your way around here this weekend, here’s what you need to know before you go:
When and where:
- The SEC football Championship begins at 4 p.m. Dec. 5. at the Georgia Dome.
- Dr. Pepper SEC Fanfare: 1-9 p.m. Dec. 4. and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 5. $8, $4 for children 4 feet and shorter. Georgia World Congress Center Halls C1, C2 and C3. Here’s a World Congress Center map.
- Among the Fanfare events are a concert with Chuck Wicks from 8-9 p.m. Dec. 4, Q&A and autograph sessions with the 2009 SEC Football Legends from noon-1:30 p.m. Dec. 5 and pep rallies. Florida’s starts at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 5 and Alabama’s is at 2 p.m. Dec. 5.
- There are official pre-parties on Dec. 4 by the Atlanta Chapter of the University of Alabama Alumni Association and the Atlanta Gator Club.
- Plenty of local restaurants, clubs and districts like Underground Atlanta are having SEC Championship specials, watch parties and entertainment.
Tailgating: You can tailgate in the Georgia World Congress Center lots only on the grassy areas behind parking spaces. Drivers are allowed only one space per vehicle, and can’t use other spaces for tents, tables, chairs etc. Barbecue grills are allowed, open flames are not. (There will be coal barrels for charcoal.) For more rules and regulations, check out the Georgia Dome’s SEC football page.
How to get there: As this story explains, traffic in downtown Atlanta will be messy this weekend. Still, here’s how to be a part of all the action.
- By car: Parking is available in the Georgia World Congress Center Yellow Lot and Green Lot for $8. There’s accessible parking for people with disabilities available in the Silver Lot and Red Deck for $10. Here’s a GWCC parking map. There’s also parking available at other pay lots around downtown. You can see some of them at the Central Atlanta Progress Parking Map.
- By transit: Given the number of people attending the game and fan events on Saturday, MARTA is the better option. You’ll want to get off the the Dome/GWCC/Philips Arena/CNN Center stop on the East/West Line, also known as the Blue Line. (The Dome and the Georgia World Congress Center are also within walking distance of the Vine City and Five Points stations, if necessary.) Remember, MARTA fare prices recently went up. A single one-way fare now costs $2.
Road closings: If you are traveling around downtown this weekend, the Christmas Parade will cause some streets to be closed between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturday. Closures start at Peachtree and Baker Street south to Peachtree and Marietta Street, then Marietta Stree to Centennial Olympic Park Drive.
On TV: Want to watch, but not with a crowd? The SEC Championship game will be on CBS from 4-7:30 p.m. There’s also live game video from CBS.
For instant updates, follow @insideaccess on Twitter.
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15 comments Add your comment
fishtales
December 4th, 2009
11:18 am
FalconFan – your #7 jersey smells like dog feces anyway so what are you worried about?
FalconFan
December 4th, 2009
10:22 am
I hope no stinky jort gators or mullet bama fans stink up my seats in the dome, maybe I should take some lysol to spray my seats before the Philly game
BBro
December 4th, 2009
5:59 am
GO GATORS!
Jamie Gumbrecht
December 4th, 2009
12:20 am
SEC aficionado — I’ve got calls into the SEC, GWCC and others about schedules, but haven’t heard back. I’ll add it when I have more info!
SEC aficionado
December 3rd, 2009
11:55 pm
Where can we find a schedule of events for the SEC Fanfare? The link on the site that you provided is not active. Last year they posted a schedule of former greats appearing at the interview venue.
Weekend to do list: December 4-6 | Inside Access
December 3rd, 2009
5:00 pm
[...] Sports: SEC Championship game with Alabama and Florida, 4 p.m., Georgia Dome, Atlanta. Know before you go. [...]
Gators Rule!
December 3rd, 2009
4:07 pm
The fanfare sounds like a lot of fun, but it sucks to be ‘Bama right now playing the Gators in the SEC Championship. It should be called the SEC CHOMP-IONSHIP because Florida will CHOMP all over Alabama, and make them look like CHUMPS!
Go Gators! CHOMP CHOMP!!
dawgsux
December 3rd, 2009
3:31 pm
I understand why the Chic-Fil-A won’t pick the Georgia Bulldogs to play in their bowl. The players and fans won’t know HOW to get to the DOME!
Go Gators!
still443
December 3rd, 2009
3:30 pm
But anyway…. I’m still hoping for a nothing-nothing tie with all members of both teams rendered unconscious.
still443
December 3rd, 2009
3:29 pm
first?