The Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl week has arrived with participants Nevada and Arkansas State coming to Tucson for Saturday’s matchup at Arizona Stadium.

The Arkansas State Red Wolves will carry a season-best four-game winning streak into the Arizona Bowl after completing the regular season with an 8-4 overall record and as the Sun Belt Conference West Division co-champions.

Today’s the day! We get one of the best gifts possible when @AStateFB touches down in Tucson. It’s time to officially kick-off #novaAZBOWL Week! pic.twitter.com/CwYlrEm0Oh

— Dances With Wolves Bowl (@novaAZBOWL) December 25, 2018

The Nevada Wolf Pack will play in their first bowl game since the 2015 season, when they also competed in the inaugural Arizona Bowl. Nevada ended the regular season with a 7-5 overall mark and tied for second place in the Mountain West Conferences’ West Division.

With the two teams having wolves in their nicknames, the game is being dubbed “The Dances with Wolves Bowl.”

A list of the Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl Events:

Friday:

Downtown Block Party, 3 pm – 8 pm, Downtown Tucson
— The free event begins at 3 p.m. with local singer-songwriter Sophia Rankin, recipient of multiple songwriting awards and staple of Tucson’s annual Folk Festival, Meet Me at Maynard’s, and many other local favorite events. Sophia recently released a second album “Solace” as a sophomore at the University of Arizona and is featured as a KXCI’s emerging artist in folk and popular music.
Local cumbia performers Dirtyverbs and Quiahuitl of Sonido Tambó that includes DJ’s, percussionists and poets from the Arizona/Mexico borderlands will be on hand. The group has hosted the legendary dance party “El Tambó” every Friday at historic Hotel Congress since 2013.
The battle of the marching bands starts at 5 p.m., featuring the Nevada and Arkansas State marching bands.
Capping the evening will be an appearance by Tony Kishman, creator and band leader of “Live and Let Die”; a full multimedia experience celebrating the music of Paul McCartney and featuring a stellar backup band.

Arkansas State Alumni & Fans Gathering, 5pm – 7pm, Playground Tucson, 278 E. Congress Street

Saturday:

Desert Diamond Tailgate Festival, 8 am – 10 am, University of Arizona Mall

Battle of the Bands, 9 am – 9:30 am, University of Arizona Mall

Kick-Off, 11:15 am, Arizona Stadium

Goal POST Party, 3 pm – 7 pm, University of Arizona Mall
— Immediately after the 2018 NOVA Home Loans Arizona Bowl Champ is crowned on the field, there will be a free concert by Everclear. Also, the BCS semifinals will be on massive screens. There will be a kids zone, fun and games, plenty of beverages for all ages, delicious foods and a charity village.