35th Annual Fountain City Classic Hailed as a Great Success

The Fountain City Classic may not have officially kicked off until Saturday, but the celebration began early Friday morning at Golden Donuts, where alumni and fans from Fort Valley State University and Albany State University gathered for a sweet start to the weekend.

The lively crowd filled the shop with laughter, music, and reunion hugs as the longtime rivals prepared to meet once again at A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium. For many, the early morning fellowship captured the true spirit of the Classic — more than just football, it’s about family, tradition, and community pride.

“Food, fellowship, and fun — when I say fun, I mean a lot of fun,” one supporter said with a grin. “You want to take advantage of everything that’s going on in one day.”

This year’s event marked the 35th anniversary of the Classic, a milestone Executive Director Robbie Branscomb called a moment of “reflection and renewal.” Branscomb said the enduring success of the Classic lies in its dual mission — to celebrate heritage and to invest in education.

A Celebration with Purpose

Beyond the festivities, the Classic continues to serve a deeper cause through initiatives like Fountain City Classic Cares and the Close the Gap Scholarship Fund. Organizers launched the fund to help students cover unexpected expenses that often threaten to derail their college journey — things like textbooks, tuition balances, or graduation fees.

“We’ve been here for 35 years, and our community trusts us,” Branscomb said. “We want to use that trust to help students not just get to college, but through college.”

While the Classic was founded to honor Historically Black Colleges and Universities, scholarship eligibility has since expanded to students attending any accredited college or university in the United States. “What matters most,” Branscomb emphasized, “is education — because once our young people earn that degree, they can return home and make meaningful contributions to the community that supported them.”

50,000 Fans, One Family

Each year, the Fountain City Classic draws nearly 50,000 attendees from across Georgia and beyond. Families, alumni, and community leaders fill Columbus for a weekend that feels more like a family reunion than a football game.

“It’s more than a game,” Branscomb said. “It’s a day of pride, celebration, and unity — exactly what our founders envisioned 35 years ago.”

That vision, first championed by Former State Representative Calvin Smyre, continues to guide the Classic today.

New Additions and Fan Favorites

While football remains the centerpiece, organizers introduced a fresh lineup of events to keep the Classic experience evolving. One highlight was the debut of the Fountain City Classic Drumline Battle, a new twist on the beloved Battle of the Bands.

Six high school drumlines from across the region competed on the home side of the stadium for a $2,500 prize and the title of Fountain City Classic Drumline Champion. The winning team, Spencer High School, received a custom snare drum trophy — a symbol of rhythmic excellence to be defended each year.

The Vendor Village once again proved to be a major attraction, with hundreds of vendors traveling from across the country — some loyal participants for all 35 years. From food and fashion to handcrafted goods, the bustling marketplace remains a cornerstone of Classic Week.

“I honestly believe we have the best vendor village in the Southeast,” Branscomb said. “It’s lucrative for vendors and loved by the community.”

Classic Elegance and Engagement

Another highlight of the weekend was the reimagined Cufflinks & Pearls Gala, now hosted at the National Infantry Museum. The event blended elegance with purpose, featuring a workforce development panel with representatives from United Way, Goodwill Industries, and Truist Bank.

The evening honored local trailblazer Virgil Miller, President of AFLAC Inc. and AFLAC U.S. and welcomed Young Joc as a special guest, who not only entertained but also shared insights on entrepreneurship and resilience. Event coordinators Deborah Porch, Ahkelia Brunson, and Chelsea Brown were credited for transforming the gala into an inspiring gathering for young professionals under the theme “Leaders of Today and Tomorrow.”

Swinging for Scholarships

The Fountain City Classic Golf Tournament teed off Friday afternoon, offering participants a chance to network, enjoy the greens, and contribute to scholarship programs. Registration began at 9 a.m., with tee-off at noon, followed by the Chairman’s Reception later that evening.

“The golf tournament has become one of our signature events,” Branscombe noted. “It’s another way to bring people together for a good cause.”

A Legacy That Lives On

As the 35th Fountain City Classic came to a close, gratitude filled the air — for the founders who paved the way, the volunteers who keep the vision alive, and the community that continues to show up year after year.

“They may be rivals on game day,” Branscomb said with a smile, “but before then, they work together as ‘One Band, One Sound’ to make the Fountain City Classic what it is — a gathering, not just a game.”

For 35 years, the Classic has stood as a beacon of unity, education, and pride. And as fans poured out of A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium this weekend, one thing was clear — the Fountain City Classic’s legacy is as strong as ever.