The NCAA and the Final Four's North Texas Local Organizing Committee yesterday announced their plans for a "three-day outdoor music festival from April 4-6 on the grounds of the old Reunion Arena in downtown Dallas," according to Drew Davison of the FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM. The event around the men's Final Four "will be free and open to the public, and is expected to draw headline acts that will be announced at a later date." The festival has "drawn more than 150,000 people over three days in previous host cities." The NCAA and local committee felt the location of Reunion Arena "was a natural fit, too, because it is the site of where the Metroplex last held a Final Four" in '86. Cowboys Exec VP/Brand Management Charlotte Jones Anderson, who serves as North Texas Local Organizing Committee Chair, said, “We were looking for something unique and special and we realized it was right under our nose" (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 11/6). In Dallas, Jeff Mosier notes official tailgates were "scheduled for two previous Final Fours but neither made a huge splash." NCAA VP/Men's Basketball Jeanne Boyd said, "In Houston, the intent was to get people to the game early. The one in New Orleans was canceled because of rain.” If this year's event succeeds, it could "be a Final Four staple alongside the concert series and Bracket Town interactive park" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 11/6).
