AutoZone Liberty Bowl, Parade & Pep Rally

The annual AutoZone Liberty Bowl pits the SEC against the Big 12 in a nationally-televised post-season match-up with a handful of festive events leading up to the game. The biggest public events include a parade and pep rally on Beale Street on the day before the game (game day is December 31 and kick off is scheduled for 2:45 p.m.)The Parade usually takes place the afternoon of the day before the game, with the competitor's marching bands, local school bands, floats and performers parading down Beale Street to W.C. Handy Park, where there's a pre-bowl pep rally. Sponsor AutoZone is headquartered in Memphis,as is the charity partner of the game - St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Players from both teams visit St. Jude patients during their time in the city, and select events support the hospital's mission to serve every child regardless of the ability to pay for treatment.