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Final Four Festivities Wrap Up

Tonight it all comes to an end. University of Connecticut Huskies will take on Butler University Bulldogs in the NCAA Basketball Championship game at Reliant Stadium. For the past three days thousands of people from out of town and here in Houston have been enjoying lots of festivities in the downtown area. Bill Stamps has the story.

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When you enter the convention center, immediately you see and hear sounds from some of the most exciting games in NCAA tournament history. It’s called Bracket Town.

For people who didn’t get tickets to any of the games this weekend the NCAA wanted to give them a way to enjoy the Final Four experience.

“I coach basketball, so we’re just bringing the kids over.”

Brian Goodman and his family came from Oklahoma. He’s also here for a basketball coach’s convention that takes place every year in the city of the Final Four. I asked him what activities his two boys have taken part in.

“What haven’t they done so far? You name it. They already got their awards, their towels, basketballs, soccer hockey lacrosse, baseball, everything. We’re tired.”

Brandon Grimm and his family didn’t have to travel very far to get to Bracket Town. They’re from League City and what they really wanted was to go to one of the Final Four games.

“We probably would have bought tickets had our team got here. But they didn’t, so we’re just out here enjoying Bracket Town.” Their team is Brigham Young University. BYU was knocked out of the tournament during the round of Sweet Sixteen.

Bracket Town isn’t the only fun in town. There have been nightly concerts at Discovery Green park and many downtown business seem to be catering to basketball fans. Brandon Grimm says they’ve done a good job.

“I think it’s really cool. It’s a great experience for the kids, for the family. How often does the Final Four come to your city and you have an opportunity to just party.”

And that party ends tonight…with the big dance.

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