Final Four festivities show off West Coast flair
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Two hours before tip off of the opening game, the action was underway at the Final Four.
Thousands of fans congregated outside University of Phoenix Stadium in the Tip-Off Tailgate area that featured a Ferris wheel, outdoor basketball courts and a variety of food vendors.
This is the first time since 1995 the Final Four is being held in the west, and the region is making a strong pitch to host again soon with sunny skies and 70 degree weather.
For ticket-holding fans partial to the outdoors, there is a big screen TV on which the Gonzaga-South Carolina and North Carolina-Gonzaga games will be shown.
Food choices include fries with brown gravy, pulled pork BBQ and "gourmet artisan" kettle corn, for $7 a bag. "Premium beer" is going for $10 a bottle or domestic beer for $9 a bottle.
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