USF to get pregame parties started a night early

In its ongoing effort to rally the entire Tampa Bay area around its football team, USF has announced a series of fan gatherings to be held at various local sites the night before home games.

The first of the “Horns Up Rallies” will be held Aug. 29 ― the evening before USF hosts No. 19 Wisconsin ― at Sparkman Wharf in downtown Tampa.

Each rally runs from 5-8 p.m., and will feature appearances from Rocky the Bull, the USF Spirit Squads and the Herd of Thunder Marching Band. The events also will include a live DJ, signature drinks, interactive games for all ages, merchandise tents and promotional giveaways.

Director of athletics Michael Kelly and other USF dignitaries also will appear.

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“I’m really excited for our ‘Horns Up Rallies’ and the opportunity for Bulls fans from all over the bay area to get together, show their USF pride and have a great time right in their own neighborhood,” Kelly said in a USF news release.

“We are going to bring all the USF spirit and fun to our alumni and fans around our great community and have a blast doing it.”

All rally sites, which includes two in Pinellas County, can be found at this link.