Southern Conference Downtown Dribble and KidsFest set for Pack Square March 7

Roger McGuire Green at Pack Square Park (80 Court Plaza) will host the Southern Conference’s Downtown Dribble & KidsFest presented by Champion Credit Union as part of the 2026 Ingles Southern Conference Basketball Championships, organizers say for Saturday, March 7, 2026. Eventbrite and the Southern Conference list the festival and dribble parade as lead-in events to the tournament’s quarterfinals and say each registrant will receive event swag and game access.

The Southern Conference and Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission are listed as lead hosts, with the YMCA of Western North Carolina and the Southern Conference Asheville Local Organizing Committee also named in promotional material; Champion Credit Union is the presenting sponsor. Eventbrite’s announcement states, “The Southern Conference and the Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission are excited to announce the Downtown Dribble & KidsFest presented by Champion Credit Union to the 2026 Ingles Southern Conference Basketball Championships on Saturday, March 7th, 2026.”

Eventbrite provides the day’s logistics: “Check-in will begin at 9:30 am at Pack Square Park with the Downtown Dribble Parade beginning at 11:15 am.” Registration carries participant benefits that Eventbrite spells out: “Each participant in the Downtown Dribble presented by Champion Credit Union will receive a basketball, Downtown Dribble T-Shirt and a ticket to the Noon session quarterfinal basketball games (Parents can purchase a discounted ticket at registration for $15.00) or you can purchase in advance at Ticketmaster.com.”

Parade routing is described differently across sources. Eventbrite and WWNC say the Downtown Dribble parade will start at Roger McGuire Green and head to Harrah’s Cherokee Center - Asheville (HCCA). The Laurel describes the fourth annual Downtown Dribble as “a dribble parade from Pack Square to the U.S. Cellular Center.” Promotional text in the compiled materials uses both arena names without equating them; organizers and media outlets should be consulted for the venue name attendees should expect.

Festival programming includes inflatables, pep bands, cheerleaders, mascots, healthy lifestyle exhibits and hands-on activities for children; The Laurel writes KidsFest will “feature games, activities, bands, cheerleaders, and mascots, as well as healthy lifestyle exhibits and interactives for children.” WWNC notes local radio personalities will be on site: “Josh & Ariel from Star 104.3 will be there with exciting prizes and swag for you to win!”

Tournament-week activities extend beyond Pack Square. The Laurel details SoCon Overtime as nightly programming at participating local bars, restaurants and breweries, saying it “will be in full swing each night of the tournament, as participating local bars, restaurants, and breweries will offer musical entertainment and drink and food specials throughout the week.” A pregame indoor tailgate called Basketball, BBQ & Beer will run “from 5:30–7:45 p.m.” prior to the men’s title game on Monday, March 7, in the concourse area of the U.S. Cellular Center, and will let patrons sample fare from Asheville-area barbecue restaurants and breweries.

Practical details in Eventbrite’s parking FAQ list options for attendees: “Parking is available behind Pack's Tavern and the College St. Parking Deck. Parking is also available at the Buncombe County parking deck across from the Buncombe County Courthouse.” Tournament tickets are available through member institution ticket offices, and The Laurel and SoCon materials point readers to soconsports.com for additional information.

Organizers' promotional copy closes with an invitation: “We look forward to seeing you on March 7th at Roger McGuire Green at Pack Square Park!!” The week’s combination of family programming, a dribble parade and nightlife promotions positions the SoCon tournament as a concentrated economic and community moment for downtown Asheville, with parade-day check-in and parade times set and ancillary events scheduled through Monday evening.