The Vicksburg Farmers’ Market site at the corner of Jackson and Washington Streets will serve as the location for a large pep rally 2 p.m. Friday in advance of the Alcorn State-Jackson State football game, Mayor George Flaggs Jr. said Tuesday.

Washington Street will be closed between Grove and Jackson streets from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the pep rally, which will involve alumni, students and fans from both schools.

“Friday at 2 o’clock you’re going to see something you’ve never seen before,” Flaggs said before Tuesday’s meeting of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen. “You’re going to see a Jackson State and Alcorn State pep rally at the lot for the farmers’ market. The bands and both presidents of both universities (will be there).”

Alcorn and Jackson State play Saturday at Alcorn’s stadium in Lorman.

“It’s a rivalry that’s been played many years in Jackson and it returns to Alcorn,” Flaggs said. “And every hotel in Vicksburg is full for this weekend. That’s a direct economic impact.”

He said he received a call from a Jackson State alumnus looking for six rooms in the city.

Theresa Kennedy of bj Entertainment Group, which is producing the pep rally, said it will run about 1 1/2 hours, followed by a block party until 6 p.m. on Washington Street. The pep rally will begin with a performance by the Ravens Cheer Squad from Vicksburg and an address by Flaggs.

Addresses by each school’s president and athletic director will be followed by performances by both marching bands —Jackson State’s “Sonic Boom of the South,” and Alcorn’s “Sounds of Dy-No-Mite.”

Flaggs said the pep rally is one of the city-sponsored programs to help attract visitors and tax dollars to the city.

“That’s why we do things like this, because of the economic impact,” he said. “It helps pay the bills through sales tax to the city, and we promote tourism.”