Final Four weekend is about more than what takes place on the court. The events that coincide with Final Four weekend have become a spectacle in their own right over the past couple of decades, and this year is no exception. Here are some of the highlights — games, of course, included — of San Antonio's Final Four weekend.
 

FRIDAY, APRIL 4

NCAA HOOP CITY
LOWDOWN: This four-day event, which begins today, features basketball clinics, various competitions, autograph sessions with NCAA coaches and former players and quite a bit more. It is, after all, four days long.
WHEN: Noon-8 p.m.; runs through Monday, April 7, and times vary by day
WHERE: Convention Center, 200 E. Market St.
HOW MUCH: $4-$8
ADDITIONAL INFO: hoop-city.com/mens

FINAL FOUR FRIDAY TEAM PRACTICES
LOWDOWN: Each of the Final Four qualifiers will participate in a 50-minute practice session, and you can watch it all, free of charge.
WHEN: Noon-4 p.m.
WHERE: Alamodome
HOW MUCH: Free

DIGIORNO COLLEGE ALL-STAR GAME
LOWDOWN: Some of the nation's top senior players will square off in this exhibition game, which will be played on the Final Four court for the first time.
WHEN: 5 p.m.
WHERE: Alamodome
HOW MUCH: Free

THE BIG DANCE: AT&T BLOCK PARTY
LOWDOWN: Something about downtown San Antonio and block parties just works, so this event — which includes performance from major acts such as Fall Out Boy and The Roots — should be fun for everyone, from children who like contemporary pop music to adults who simply enjoy the thrill of walking around with an open container in hand.
WHEN: 6-11:30 p.m.
WHERE: South Alamo Street between Market and Durango
HOW MUCH: Free
SATURDAY, APRIL 5

THE BIG DANCE: PONTIAC GARAGE %AT THE FINAL FOUR
LOWDOWN: Among the many activities slated for this event are what organizers are calling “the world's largest pep rally,” a military flyover and, of course, plenty of food, drinks and live music. Both national semifinal games will also be shown on giant video screens, and white-trash rocker du jour Kid Rock will headline the musical festivities.
WHEN: 10:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m.
WHERE: South Alamo Street between Market and Durango
HOW MUCH: Free

NCAA NATIONAL SEMIFINALS
LOWDOWN: Check out 210SA's official NCAA Final Four breakdown for predictions.
WHEN: 5:07 p.m. (second game starts about 30 minutes after conclusion of first game)
WHERE: Alamodome; also, if you're milling around at one of the tons of other events, remember to check out the action on the court anywhere you are. Giant screens will be positioned all over the place for your viewing pleasure
HOW MUCH: Officially sold out
ADDITIONAL INFO: ncaasports.com
SUNDAY, APRIL 6

THE BIG DANCE: MY COKE FEST
LOWDOWN: Not only a way to pass the time on a Final Four off day, but also a way to celebrate a local landmark, as this event will help honor the 40th anniversary of HemisFair. The event also features performances from 3 Doors Down, The All-American Rejects and Taylor Swift.
WHEN: 2-9 p.m.
WHERE: South Alamo Street between Market and Durango
HOW MUCH: Free
MONDAY, APRIL 7

FINAL FOUR RIVER RALLY
LOWDOWN: Bands and cheerleaders from the two national championship game qualifiers float down the San Antonio River. Because what would the weekend be without a river parade?
WHEN: 3:30 p.m.
WHERE: The River Walk
HOW MUCH: Free

THE BIG DANCE: NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP MONDAY
LOWDOWN: Texas music gets the Final Four treatment, as Bob Schneider (alt-rock), Robert Earl Keen (Texas country) and Mingo Fishtrap (soul and funk) join forces for an evening of live music. Schneider takes the stage at 4 p.m., followed by Keen at 6 p.m. before Mingo Fishtrap leads us into tip-off with a 7:30 p.m. show.
WHEN: 4-8:15 p.m.
WHERE: South Alamo Street between Market and Durango
HOW MUCH: Free
ADDITIONAL INFO: bobschneidermusic.com; robertearlkeen.com; mingofishtrap.com

NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP GAME-VIEWING PARTY
LOWDOWN: If you're one of the 99 percent of people who couldn't score Final Four tickets, you can still watch the game from the frenzied confines of downtown San Antonio.
WHEN: 8:15 p.m.
WHERE: South Alamo Street between Market and Durango
HOW MUCH: Free

NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
LOWDOWN: Again, see 210SA's official Final Four breakdown for predictions. Unless we were wrong in our national semifinal picks, which in that case, please disregard.
WHEN: 8:21 p.m.
WHERE: Alamodome
HOW MUCH: Officially sold out
ADDITIONAL INFO: ncaasports.com

Clint Hale | 210SA