Auburn's new ordinance allowing an entertainment district near Toomer's Corner will be enacted for the first time Sept. 14.
The event, Downtown AUtumn Nights, will kick off the first home football game weekend of the season from 6 to 9:30 p.m.
"We wanted to sort of expand the game day experience," said Jennifer Fincher, vice president of Communications and Marketing for the Auburn Chamber of Commerce.
The event will start with a pep rally led by the Auburn University cheerleaders, Aubie and the marching band, Downtown AUtumn Nights will offer students, visitors and community members an alternative way to celebrate Auburn football the night before the game against Louisiana Monroe.
"Instead of starting on Saturday with tailgating and the game, we want to start on Friday so everyone who's coming to town, all our visiting fans and our alumni, have something fun to do to start their weekend," Fincher said.
The Swingin' Medallions will be performing at the event. Formed in 1962, the band, known as "the party band of the South," is still touring after 50 years.
"The band's been going strong all these years, and we have three sons of original Medallions in the band," said Robby Cox, drummer for Swingin' Medallions. "Plus, we have one original Medallion left in the band."
Made famous by their 1966 album "Double Shot of My Baby's Love," the Swingin' Medallions's signature tune has been played on TV shows such as "Ally McBeal" and "American Dreams," according to medallions.com, the band's website.
With 50 years in the business, the band has played several notable concerts, including playing a show with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band during Springsteen's concert in 2009 in Greenville, S.C.
Based in Greenwood, S.C., the band has both Clemson Tiger and South Carolina Gamecocks fans, but band members said they are looking forward to their performance in Auburn.
"We play all over the place," Cox said. "So we're going to come down and play, and we'll be glad to be there."
Downtown AUtumn Nights is a collaboration between the Auburn-Opelika Tourism Bureau, the Auburn University Athletic Department, the city of Auburn, the Auburn Alumni Association and the merchants downtown.
Some of the shops downtown will be open later Sept. 14 for the event, and there will also be a few other vendors set up along the streets for people to visit.
Made possible by the new ordinance this is the first time patrons will be allowed to walk around the streets with drinks.
"It allows people to leave restaurants and bars with an open container," Fincher said. "No coolers are allowed, but you will be able to go into a bar and restaurant and buy a drink and bring it outside. It is just for this event."
Magnolia Avenue and College Street will be closed for the duration of Downtown AUtumn Nights, and there will be many public safety officers present, Fincher said.
Downtown AUtumn Nights will return Friday, Nov. 16 with the band Chevy 6 to celebrate in Auburn before the home game against Alabama A&M University.
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