Atlanta Falcons

Fulton County government holds Falcons rally

ATLANTA — Fulton County workers cheered on the Atlanta Falcons during a lunchtime tailgate party Tuesday that the county's elected officials hosted.

They called it a warm-up act for a Super Bowl champion's parade.

“I think Tuesday or Wednesday when we have the parade, this whole city is going to unite,” said Donald Sykes, also known as Reverend Syko. “I preach the word of the Dirty Bird.”

A one-block section of Pryor Street in front of the Fulton County Government Center was shut down for the tailgate Tuesday afternoon.

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“When you get all the elected officials and the county manager on board, you get to throw a block party,” county employee Che Alexander said.

Alexander is the bureau chief for Fulton County Clerk of Superior and Magistrate Court Kathelene Tina Robinson.

Over the past few weeks, Alexander's carved out a few minutes a day to plan the block party.

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“For 18 years we've been going and going and going, and we knew this year was it. We knew it,” she said.

Food trucks, marching bands and potential future Falcons cheerleaders from New Manchester High School in Douglasville helped show the Falcons some love.

“Everybody's supporting. From the DA office to the Sheriff's Office, the clerk’s office, the solicitor. Everybody is involved,” Alexander said.

And for the few employees who are not Falcon fans, Alexander said, “They're doing all the work now."

All the hard work happens Sunday in Houston when the Falcons square off against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI.

Sykes, who has held season tickets for 23 years, is headed to Houston Friday.

“They say we don't have a ring. We (are) going to take this ring,” Sykes said.

Sykes said he believes a Falcons win will unite the city and its people with the feeling that together we are champions.

"Ultimate tailgate" Falcons party in Fulton County

WATCH LIVE: Rise up! Atlanta Falcons fans are coming together for the "ultimate tailgate" in Fulton County.

Posted by WSB-TV on Tuesday, January 31, 2017